THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


V      , 


The  Ohio  Country 

Between  the  Years  1783  and  1815 

Including 

Military  Operations    that   Twice    Saved    to    the 

United  States  the  Country  West  of  the 

Alleghany   Mountains    after  the 

Revolutionary   War 

By 

Charles  Elihu  Slocum 

M.D.,  Ph.D.,  LL.D. 

Member  of  Local,   Ohio  State,  and  American  Historical 
Associations 


The  War  of  1775-1783  between  the  United  Colo- 
nies and  Great  Britain,  was  Revolutionary;  The 
War  of  1812-1814  between  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain,  was  the  War  of  Independence 


G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons 

New  York  and  London 

Sbe    fmicftetbocfter    ptess 

1910 


COPYRIGHT,  1910 

BY 
CHARLES  ELIHU  SLOCUM 


Ube  ftnicherbocher  frees,  Hew  Korfe 


(To  Cbc 
MEMORY     OF     THE     PIONEERS 

OF 

THE    OHIO     COUNTRY 

THE  OLD   NORTHWESTERN  AND   SOUTHWESTERN  TERRITORIES 
OF   THE  UNITED   STATES  OF  AMERICA 

THIS    BOOK 
IS    RESPECTFULLY   DEDICATED 


746771 


PREFACE 

HPHE  early  and  most  trying  times  in  the  history 
A  of  the  Old  Northwestern  Territory,  and  of 
its  great  neighbor,  the  Southwestern  Territory, 
divided  only  in  a  physical  sense  by  the  Ohio  River, 
is  a  subject  that  should  ever  be  of  interest,  and  of 
value  to  everyone,  of  every  land,  especially  as  a 
study  in  patriotic  endurance. 

The  story  presents  people  strong  in  brain  and 
in  brawn,  descendants  of  Anglo-Saxon  and  of 
Celtic  stocks,  the  ancestors  of  most  of  whom  had 
been  several  generations  in  America,  having  origi- 
nally settled  here  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  be- 
fore; a  people  who  loved  their  new  homes  in  the 
forest  country  as  well  as  the  homes  of  their  nativ- 
ity in  the  Colonies  along  the  Atlantic  shore,  now 
separated  from  their  early  habitat  by  several  hun- 
dred miles,  and  by  mountains  hard  to  traverse. 

This  isolated  people  were  often  made  to  feel 
that  they  and  their  new  country  were  forgotten 
by  the  legislators  and  others  in  authority  in  the 


vi  Preface 

regions  whence  they  came ;  and  during  many  years 
their  struggles  were  not  alone  for  subsistence,  but 
for  the  protection  of  themselves  and  their  chil- 
dren from  prowling  Savages,  who  were  seeking 
their  scalps  and  lives,  or  to  drive  them  from  their 
adopted  country. 

In  preparing  this  book  the  writer  has  had  in 
mind  the  general  reader  who  wants  a  direct  ac- 
count of  the  subject  about  which  he  desires  to 
read,  with  enough  of  detail  for  supplementation, 
when  such  detail  is  obtainable. 

Such  readers  have  generally  noticed  that  his- 
tories of  the  United  States,  even  the  largest  ones, 
when  mentioning  this  extensive  and  invaluable 
region  at  all,  give  a  very  scant  account  of  the 
dangers  which  would  have  attended  its  loss  to  the 
American  Union,  or  of  the  military  operations 
that  twice,  at  least,  saved  it  to,  and  maintained 
it  in,  the  Union. 

In  writing  it  is  easier,  for  several  reasons,  to 
generalize  than  to  focus  one's  attention  on  the 
detail  that  shows  the  animating  principle,  or  want 
of  principle,  that  influenced  the  lives,  thoughts, 
acts,  and  accomplishments  of  the  people.  This 
statement  may  explain  how  it  is  that  many  write 
so  much  and  yet  impart  so  little  of  practical 
information. 


Preface  vii 

The  character  of  the  sufferings  of  Americans, 
before  the  Revolutionary  War  and  for  thirty  years 
after,  in  this  trans-Allegheny  region  particu- 
larly, exacts  strong  language  even  in  its  mildest 
portrayal. 

The  tragic  story  here  written  has,  however,  a 
very  pleasant  conclusion  for  Americans.  At  its 
beginning,  naught  but  dark  clouds  of  selfishness 
and  savagery  hung  low  in  the  horizon,  frequently 
bursting  out  into  storms  that  caused  great  suf- 
fering and  disaster,  and  that  would  have  over- 
fatigued  and  driven  from  the  country,  never  to 
return,  the  survivors,  had  they  possessed  less 
strong  and  self-reliant  characters. 

Disagreements  among  the  Eastern  Colonies,  and 
later  among  the  States  into  which  these  Colonies 
were  transformed,  occasionally  foreboded  evil  to 
the  union  of  the  Ohio  Country  with  the  East  and, 
at  times,  even  foreboded  disruption  of  the  Union 
among  the  States  themselves. 

However,  the  War  of  1812-1814  came,  and 
ended,  as  a  blessing  to  both  the  East  and  the 
West,  in  that  it  consolidated,  and  cemented, 
the  States  and  Territories  into  a  nation  with  not 
only  valuable  experiences,  but  with  heightened 
and  reciprocated  regard  for  one  another  in- 
stilled into  the  component  parts,  and  with 


viii  Preface 

greater  forbearance,  improved  ideals  and  powers 
among  all. 

True  civilization  receives  impetus  from  the  les- 
sons of  the  past.  History  should  be  truthfully 
and  fully  written,  even  though  its  pages  record 
horrible  deeds. 

The  habitual  use  of  intoxicating  beverages  was 
a  strong  factor  in  much  of  the  savagery  recorded 
in  the  following  pages,  as  well  as  being  the  cause 
of  the  inefficiency  of  several  Americans  in  author- 
ity during  this  time,  of  the  older  military  com- 
manders particularly. 

By  reading,  and  keeping  in  mind,  an  authentic 
account  of  the  trials  and  sufferings  of  the  early 
settlers  in  gaining  and  maintaining  liberty  from 
oppression  and  savagery,  people  are  more  likely 
to  appreciate  liberty  gained  in  this  way,  and  to 
remain  more  intent  upon  its  preservation. 

CHARLES  E.  SLOCUM. 
TOLEDO,  OHIO. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I 
INTRODUCTION       ......         i 

The  Settling  of  the  British  and  French  in  America 
— Their  Inebriation  of  the  Aborigines — Made 
them  Savages  Indeed — Habitual  Contention  for 
Ascendancy — Success  of  the  British  with  the 
Savages,  and  against  the  French — Use  of  Sav- 
ages against  Colonists  during  Revolutionary 
War  by  the  British  the  same  as  against  the 
French  in  Previous  Years. 

CHAPTER  II 

BRITISH  DIRECT  NON-OBSERVANCE  OP  TREATY 

OF  PARIS,  AND  THEN  SlGN  THE  TREATY          .       1 8 

The  First  Years  Following  the  Revolutionary  War 

— The  First  Northwestern  Boundary  Line — The 

Aborigines  Willing  to  be  Friends  of  the  United 

States — Causes    of    their    Alliance    with    the 

British — The  British  Continue  to  Hold  Military 

Posts  in  Opposition  to  Treaty — Large  Amount 

of  American  Property  Purloined  by  the  British. 

CHAPTER  III 

DEVELOPMENT   OF    THE    WEST    CHECKED     BY 
BRITISH  INFLUENCES.          •          •          •          •       33 
Aborigine  Claims  to  Land  Based  on  Conquest, 
which  Claims  the  Savages  and  the  British  were 


x  Contents 

PAGE 

Not  Willing  to  Accede  to  the  United  States, 
their  Conqueror — Treaties  with  Aborigines — 
Reservations — Cession  to  United  States  of 
Western  Claims  by  States — Civil  Organizations 
— Surveys  for  Settlements — Ohio  Land  Com- 
panies— Fort  Finney  Built — Continued  Control 
of  Aborigines  by  British — Expeditions  against 
Savage  Marauders — Desire  in  the  West  for 
Independence  from  the  United  States — Unau- 
thorized Retaliations  on  Spaniards  Allayed. 

CHAPTER  IV 

CONTINUED     NEFARIOUS     WORK    WITH    THE 
SAVAGES    .......       42 

Activities  of  the  British  against  the  United 
States — Their  Main  Fort  in  American  Territory 
Strengthened — Benedict  Arnold  with  them — 
Organization  of  the  Territory  Northwest  of  the 
Ohio  River — Increase  in  Population — Other 
Civil  Organizations — More  Systematic  Efforts 
to  Check  British  Influence  with  American 
Aborigines — Forts  Built — Reports  of  the  exten- 
sive Savage  Work  Done  by  the  Aborigines — 
Cannibalism. 

CHAPTER  V 

FURTHER    CULMINATION   OP  THE    INEFFICIENT 
MANAGEMENT  OF  AFFAIRS  ....       52 

Statement  of  the  Conditions  by  Jurist  from  Per- 
sonal Observations — Necessity  for  Relieving 
the  Long-continued  and  Severe  Sufferings — 
Kentucky  Territory  Organized — Other  Civil 
Organizations — General  Harmar's  Expedition 
against  Hostile  Savages  at  Head  of  Maumee 
River — His  Army  Twice  Defeated  by  them — 
Their  Celebration  of  Victory  at  Detroit  with 


Contents  xi 


their  British  Allies — Panic  along  Frontier — The 
Weak,  Inefficient  American  Conduct  of  Affairs 
Reviewed. 


62 

More  Troops  Gathered  for  Defence — Messenger 
Sent  to  the  Senecas  for  Peace  Agents — British 
Opposition — Expedition  against  Hostile  Sav- 
ages Successful — Army  Gathered  for  Decisive 
Blow  to  the  Marauding  Savages — Commanded 
by  General,  and  Governor,  St.  Clair,  it  Meets 
Overwhelming  Defeat — Women  with  the  Army. 

CHAPTER  VII 

FURTHER  NEFARIOUS  WORK  CULMINATING  .  78 
Great  Efforts  of  British  Allies — Distress  of  Frontier 
Settlements — British  Fear  Loss  of  Fur  Trade — 
Advance  of  Civil  Jurisdiction — General  Wayne 
Chosen  to  Lead  Another  Army  against  the 
Hostiles — Further  Treaties  with  the  Aborigines 
— Secret  Efforts  to  Learn  Status  of  the  British — 
Largest  Council  of  Savages  for  British  Confed- 
eration— Kentucky  Admitted  as  a  State — Forts 
Built  by  Americans — Commissioners  Appointed 
to  Attend  the  Great  Council — Their  Object 
Defeated  by  the  British — Specific  Charges  of 
Fraud  and  Force  by  British  Presented  to  the 
British  Minister. 

CHAPTER  VIII 

RETRIBUTIVE    JUSTICE    MARCHES    ON    AGAINST 
GREAT  OPPOSITION      .  .          .          -95 

Advance  of  General  Wayne's  Army — Opposed 
by  the  Enemy — Builds  Forts  Greenville  and 


xii  Contents 


Recovery — Cause  of  British  Aggressiveness  yet 
More  Apparent — Other  Enemies  of  the  United 
States — Separation  of  the  Ohio  Country  from 
the  United  States  again  Suggested — British 
Build  Two  Additional  Forts  within  United 
States  Territory — Protests  of  the  United  States 
of  No  Avail — British  and  their  Savage  Allies 
Attack  Fort  Recovery  and  Are  Repulsed — 
Further  Account  of  Great  Britain's  Guiding 
Hand. 

CHAPTER  IX 

WAYNE'S  ARMY  DEFEATS   A   HYDRA   OP  CON- 
SPIRACIES ......     108 

Further  Advance  of  Wayne's  Army — A  Most 
Momentous  Campaign — Builds  Forts  Adams 
and  Defiance — The  Enemy  Flees — Wayne's  Last 
Overture  for  Peace — The  Army  Nears  the 
Enemy — Builds  Fort  Deposit,  and  Advances 
to  Complete  Victory — Buildings  and  Crops  of 
British  and  their  Allies  Destroyed — Wayne's 
Emphatic  Letters  to  the  Commandant  of  Fort 
Miami — The  Casualties — Army  Returns  and 
Strengthens  Fort  Defiance — The  Red  Savages 
— British  Strengthen  their  Forts  in  United 
States  Territory. 

CHAPTER  X 

THE  TAMING  OP  THE  BROKEN  SAVAGE  SPIRIT  .      121 

Wayne  Marches  his  Army  to  the  Site  of  the  Miami 
Villages — There  Builds  Fort  Wayne — Receives 
and  Makes  Valuable  Friends  of  Deserters  from 
the  British — Disaffection  of  Kentucky  Volun- 
teers— They  are  Sent  Home — Savage  Scouts 
Active  at  Fort  Defiance — Wayne's  Suggestion 
of  General  Council  with  Aborigines  Meets  Favor. 


Contents  xiii 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE  MOST  IMPORTANT  OF  ALL  TREATIES  WITH 
THE  SAVAGES      .          .          .          .          .          .131 

Discipline  in  the  Army — Wayne's  Diplomacy  in 
Winning  the  Savages  to  Peace — His  Agents  in 
the  Work — Exchange  of  Prisoners — The  Treaty 
of  Greenville,  August  3,  1795 — Number  of 
Tribes  in  the  Agreement. 

CHAPTER  XII 

THE  WEST  GAINS  POSSESSION  OF  PART  OF  ITS 
RIGHTS      ........     144 

Treaty  with  Spain  Favorable  to  the  West — Aban- 
donment of  Forts — British  again  Endeavor  to 
Seduce  the  Aborigines  of  the  United  States — 
The  Jay  Treaty  Favorable  to  the  West — British 
Surrender  American  Forts — Death  of  Gene- 
ral Wayne — Wayne  County  Organized — More 
French  and  Spanish  Plots — Separation  of  the 
West  from  the  East  again  Suggested — British 
Threaten  Spanish  Possessions  in  the  South. 

CHAPTER  XIII 

ADVANCEMENT  OF  CIVIL  GOVERNMENT,  AND  EX- 
TENSION OF  THE  WEST  .  .  .  .156 
Mississippi  Territory  Organized — General  Wash- 
ington again  at  the  Head  of  the  Federal  Army 
— Spanish  Surrender  their  Forts  in  United 
States  Territory — First  Legislature  of  North- 
western Territory  Convenes — Indiana  Territory 
Organized — Public  Lands — Connecticut  Cedes 
her  Claims  to  the  United  States — Religious 
Missionaries  —  Population  —  Continued  British 
Usurpations — Evidences  of  the  Rising  Power 
of  the  United  States — Treaty  with  France — 


xiv  Contents 


Louisiana  Territory  Purchased — Development 
of  Communication — Military  Posts — Ohio  Ad- 
mitted as  a  State — The  Aborigines — Additional 
Treaties  with  them — Fort  Industry  Built — 
Michigan  Territory  Organized — Aaron  Burr's 
Last  Scheme. 

CHAPTER  XIV 

CONSPIRACY  OF  THE  BRITISH,  TECUMSEH,  AND 
THE  PROPHET     ......     167 

Further  Treaties  with,  and  Payments  to,  the 
Aborigines — The  British  Continue  Meddlesome 
— Reservations — United  States  Settlers  by  the 
Lower  Maumee  River — Land  for  Highways 
Treated  for — Illinois  Territory  Organized — 
Another  British-Savage  Trouble  Gathering — 
Trading  Posts  for  the  Aborigines  Established — 
Reports  of  Gathering  Trouble  from  United 
States  Military  Posts — The  British  Continue  to 
Trade  Intoxicating  Liquors  to  American  Abo- 
rigines in  Opposition  to  Law. 

CHAPTER  XV 

RESULTS   OP   FURTHER   REMISSNESS    OP   THE 
GOVERNMENT     ......     180 

Regarding  Trading  Posts  or  Agencies — Conspir- 
acy of  the  British  and  Tecumseh  Deepens — 
Reports  from  Military  Posts — Battle  of  Tippe- 
canoe — Continued  Organization  and  Depreda- 
tions by  the  Allied  Enemies  of  the  United 
States — Missouri  Territory  Organized — More 
Cannibalism  by  the  Savages. 

CHAPTER  XVI 

SAD  BEGINNING  OF  THE  WAR  POR  INDEPEN- 
DENCE       .......     194 

Tardy  Action  of  Congress — Declaration  of  War 
against  Great  Britain — This  War  of  1812  the 


Contents  xv 


Real  War  for  Independence — The  Army  of  the 
Northwest  the  First  in  the  Field — Forts  Mc- 
Arthur,  Necessity,  Findlay,  and  Miami  Built — 
Sad  Inefficiency  of  General  Hull — He  Orders 
the  Abandonment  of  Fort  Dearborn — Massacre 
and  Cannibalism  by  British  Allies — Hull  Surren- 
ders Fort  at  Detroit  without  Effort  for  Defence 
— Brave  and  Patriotic  Work  by  Captain  Brush. 

CHAPTER  XVII 

SLOW  PROGRESS  IN  PREPARING  TO  MEET  THE 
ENEMY      .......     204 

Efforts  to  Repair  Hull's  Loss — General  Harrison 
Appointed  Commander-in-Chief — Siege  of  Fort 
Wayne  Relieved — General  Winchester  Ap- 
pointed to  Succeed  Harrison  without  Cause. 

CHAPTER  XVIII 

EXTREME  SUFFERINGS  OF  KENTUCKY  SOLDIERS     212 

General  Winchester  Assumes  Command  of  the 
Army — Harrison  Directs  Clearing  of  Roads  and 
Building  of  Forts  Barbee,  Jennings,  and  Amanda 
— Winchester  Marches  Army  from  Fort  Wayne 
to  Defiance — British  Force  Checked  on  their 
Way  to  Fort  Wayne — Harrison  Reappointed 
Chief  in  Command  of  Northwestern  Army — 
Visits  Winchester  at  Defiance  and  Settles  Dis- 
cord— Plans  Fort  Winchester,  which  Was  Built 
at  Defiance — Extreme  Sufferings  of  Winches- 
ter's Left  Wing  of  the  Army — Battle  of  Mis- 
sissinewa  River. 

CHAPTER  XIX 

THE  SECOND  GREAT  DISASTER  OF  THE  WAR  OF 
1812          .......     222 

Advance  of  General  Winchester's  Army  from  De- 
fiance— Safe  Arrival  at  Presque  Isle  below 


xvi  Contents 


Roche  de  Bout — There  Builds  Fort  Deposit — 
Unwise  Advance  of  Army  to  the  Raisin — Defeat 
and  Massacre — Harrison  Gathers  a  New  Army 
and  Takes  Command — Fort  Deposit  Aban- 
doned— Fort  Winchester  again  the  Frontier 
Post — Fort  Meigs  Built — Efforts  to  Strike  the 
Enemy  Unavailing. 

CHAPTER  XX 

A  THIRD  GREAT  DISASTER  IN  THE  FIRST  YEAR 
OF  THE  WAR      ......     233 

The  Northwestern  Army  Neglected  by  the  General 
Government — General  Harrison  not  Distracted 
by  Unwise  Advisers — Investment  and  Siege  of 
Fort  Meigs — Reinforcements  for  the  Fort  Diso- 
bey Orders — They  Are  Surrounded  and  Captured 
— Further  Massacre  and  Cannibalism  by  British 
Allies — The  Enemy  Raises  Siege  and  Retreats. 

CHAPTER  XXI 

SECOND  GREAT  EFFORT  OF  THE  ENEMY  UNA- 
VAILING    .......     244 

The  British  Gather  More  Savage  Allies — More 
Preparations  by  Americans  for  Advancing 
upon  the  Enemy — Celebration  of  Fourth  of  July 
by  Soldiers  in  the  Forest — The  Enemy  Becom- 
ing More  Active — Fort  Seneca  Built  to  Retain 
Friendship  of  Aged  Aborigines — Second  Invest- 
ment of  Fort  Meigs  by  Increased  Force — Scheme 
for  its  Capture  Unavailing — Second  Retreat  of 
Enemy  from  Fort  Meigs. 

CHAPTER  XXII 

ANOTHER   SIGNAL   REPULSE   OF  THE   ALLIED 
ENEMY      .......     256 

British  Surround  and  Attack  Fort  Stephenson — 
They  are  Brilliantly  Repulsed  by  Captain  Cro- 
ghan — They  again  Retreat  to  Fort  Maiden. 


Contents  xvii 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

THE  ENTIRE  FORCE  OF  THE  BRITISH  ON  LAKE 
ERIE  CAPTURED  .....     262 

Renewed  Efforts  for  Squadron  of  Armed  Vessels 
Successful — Oliver  H.  Perry  Builder  and  Com- 
mander— His  Difficulties — He  Sails  for  the  Ene- 
my— Communicates  with  Harrison — Meets  and 
Captures  All  of  the  British  Squadron — Perry's 
Despatches  after  the  Battle — The  Killed  and 
Wounded — Description  of  Squadrons. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

THE  AMERICANS  SEEK  THE  BRITISH  AT  FORT 
MALDEN    .......     275 

Definite  Preparations  for  the  Invasion  of  Canada — 
Observance  of  the  Day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer — 
A  Sham  Battle — Enthusiastic  Enlisting  in  Ken- 
tucky for  the  Invasion — Aged  Aborigine  War- 
riors Join  the  Ranks — The  Crossing  of  Lake 
Erie — Arrival  at  Fort  Maiden — Found  De- 
serted and  Fired  by  the  Enemy. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

THE  BRITISH  PURSUED  AND  CAPTURED  AT  THE 

THAMES     .......      284 

Pursuit  of  the  British  through  Canada — Detroit 
Recovered  by  Americans,  who  Hasten  to  Com- 
plete Victory  at  the  Thames — Aborigines  Desert 
their  Allies  and  Flock  to  the  Americans — Gen- 
eral Cass  Appointed  Military  and  Civil  Governor 
of  Michigan  Territory — Name  of  Detroit's  Fort 
Changed  to  that  of  Shelby — Kentucky  Troops 
Return  Home  by  Way  of  the  Raisin. 


xviii  Contents 

PAGE 

CHAPTER  XXVI 

THE  OHIO  COUNTRY  FREE  FROM  THE  SAVAGE 
ALLIANCE  ......     292 

Proctor's  Request  and  Harrison's  Reply — Harrison 
Goes  to  Reinforce  Army  of  the  Centre — Period 
of  Quiet  in  the  Ohio  Country — General  Harrison 
Resigns — Renewed  Efforts  for  Defence  and  Ad- 
vance— Scarcity  of  Food  and  Money — Further 
Neglect  by  Eastern  Authorities — Expeditions 
through  Canada — Unfortunate  Expedition  to 
the  North. 

CHAPTER  XXVII 

SUCCESS    OF   THE   WAR   FOR    INDEPENDENCE 
ASSURED   .......     303 

The  Treaty  of  Ghent  Closing  the  War  of  1812-14 
— Further  Confirmation  of  American  Claim  of 
Notorious  Methods  by  the  British. 

INDEX  ........     311 


The  Ohio  Country 

Between  the  Years  1783  and  1815 


The   Ohio  Country 


CHAPTER  I 

INTRODUCTION 

The  Settling  of  the  British  and  French  in  America — Their 
Inebriation  of  the  Aborigines — Made  them  Savages  In- 
deed— Habitual  Contention  for  Ascendancy — Success  of 
the  British  with  the  Savages,  and  against  the  French — 
Use  of  Savages  against  Colonists  during  Revolutionary 
War  by  the  British  the  Same  as  against  the  French  in 
Previous  Years. 

FRENCHMEN,  early  in  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, were  the  first  Europeans  to  explore  the 
American  country  about  the  Great  Lakes  and  the 
upper  Mississippi  River.  The  course  of  their 
travel  at  first,  and  for  many  years  after,  was  up 
the  St.  Lawrence  River  to  Montreal,  thence  up  the 
Ottawa  River  to  Mattawa,  thence  along  the  out- 
let and  through  the  Lakes  Talon  and  Trout, 
thence  by  portage  to  Lake  Nipissing,  through  it 


2  The  Ohio  Country 

and  down  its  outlet  the  French  River  into  Georg- 
ian Bay,  and  thence  southward  and  westward. 

The  British1  ranged  along  the  Atlantic  coast 
south  of  the  St.  Lawrence  Gulf.  They  did  not 
abandon  their  quarrels  with  the  French  on  leaving 
England;  in  fact  they  added  to  the  old,  a  new 
grievance  against  the  French  because  of  the  lat- 
ter's  settlement  in  the  new  country  which  the 
British  claimed  by  "the  right  of  discovery," 
though  this  discovery  was  only  a  part  of  the 
Atlantic  shore  line. 

During  the  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  following 
the  coming  of  the  French,  quarrels  and  wars  raged 
in  America  and  elsewhere  between  these  two  peo- 
ples. Here  the  French  had  the  advantage  for  sev- 
eral generations,  owing  to  their  early  explorations, 
their  maps,  and  their  early  free  association  with 
and  amiable  treatment  of  the  Aborigines.  Their 
first,  and  principal,  association  was  with  the  Al- 
gonquins  and  the  Huron  (Wyandot)  tribe,  both 
of  whom  were  often  at  war  with  the  Iroquois  of 
New  York.  The  latter  controlled  the  country 
south  of  the  course  of  the  French,  and  southward 
from  Lake  Erie  and  thence  westward  even  to  the 

1  The  term  British  is  here  used  to  designate  the  combined 
force  of  English,  Irish,  Scotch,  and  other  Europeans  who,  at 
different  times,  acted  with  them. 


Introduction  3 

Mississippi  River.  For  a  long  time  this  condition 
had  much  to  do  with  keeping  the  French  to  the 
northward. 

The  skins  of  fur-bearing  animals  were  the  prin- 
cipal gain  derived  by  the  French,  first  the  coureurs 
des  bois  particularly;  and  they  gratified  in  addi- 
tion their  love  of  adventure  and  of  free  life  among 
the  Aborigines,  which  life  the  roaming  French 
sought  later  to  make  free  also  from  the  taxes  of 
the  Church  and  the  government.  Instead  of  en- 
deavoring to  elevate  the  Aborigines  to  their  degree 
of  civilization,  many  of  them  descended  to  the 
level  of  the  Aborigines. 

As  for  the  Aborigines,  the  Frenchmen's  brandy 
was  to  them  a  revelation.  At  first  merely  a  pleas- 
ing and  exhilarating  beverage,  this  soon  became  a 
necessity  in  increasing  quantity;  a  drink  which, 
with  them  as  with  countless  multitudes  before 
and  since,  civilized  according  to  their  times  and 
associations,  was  in  their  more  sober  moments 
considered  the  bane  of  their  lives.  It  was  a  drink 
which  held  them  in  abject  slavery  and  was  ob- 
tained at  any  cost;  for  its  use  had  developed  in 
them  a  thirst  for  it  that  outvalued  and  overbal- 
anced every  other  consideration.  The  French- 
men in  trading  had  also  given  them  knives  of 
steel  to  replace  the  clumsy,  flint  knives  of  native 


4  The  Ohio  Country 

workmanship;  also  metal  tomahawks,  and,  later, 
flint-lock  muskets;  with  which  weapons,  when 
elated  with  the  brandy,  they  felt  more  than  equal 
to  the  French  themselves.  These  weapons,  with 
the  brandy,  made  them  Savages  indeed;  the  fierc- 
est and  most  dangerous  known  to  history. 

The  British,  also,  became  strong  competitors 
of  the  French;  the  government  for  the  taxes  and 
the  traders  for  their  profits  in  the  fur  trade  among 
the  Aborigines.  At  first  they  dealt  with  the  Al- 
gonquins  of  New  England  and  the  Iroquois  of 
New  York.  Then  the  Algonquins  and  the  Huron 
(Wyandot)  tribe  of  the  West  were  invited,  by 
agents,  who  distributed  among  them  strong  drink 
and  gaudy  presents,  to  visit  the  chief  executive 
in  New  York.  Nothing  pleased  the  Aborigine 
chiefs  more,  while  resting  from  war,  than  to  jour- 
ney hundreds  of  miles  for  such  a  visit,  as  they  were 
sure  of  being  fed  to  satiety,  and  fully  loaded  with 
presents  for  the  return;  and  the  new  bidder,  there- 
fore, was  given  the  preference  in  their  estimation, 
for  there  was  always  a  prospect  of  better  terms 
with  him  than  those  received  from  the  former 
dealer. 

The  impassive  manners  and  "heavier  drinks" 
of  the  Englishmen  did  not,  in  the  estimation  of 
the  Aborigines,  displace  the  more  affable  French- 


Introduction  5 

men  with  their  brandy  until,  by  degrees,  the 
British  general  government  showed  its  power 
and  its  attractions,  by  its  armies,  by  the  new  pro- 
ducts of  its  looms,  and  by  the  larger  number  and 
the  improved  versatility  of  its  traders  among 
the  larger  tribes.  Not  until  the  year  1760  did 
the  British  succeed  the  French  government  in 
America. 

During  all  these  many  generations  of  intrigue 
and  war  between  the  British  and  French,  the 
Aborigines  and  their  descendants  (all  of  whom  will 
continue  to  be  here  designated  Aborigines  or 
Savages,  the  term  ' '  Indian  "  being  an  ancient  mis- 
nomer that  should  not  be  perpetuated)  were  tu- 
tored in  intrigue  and  savagery;  and  they  were 
apt  pupils  in  everything  seen  among  their  tutors 
that  was  worse  than  that  to  which  they  had  been 
addicted. 

For  an  untold  number  of  generations  the  Sav- 
ages had  been  reared  to  war  with  other  tribes,  and 
it  was  inculcated  in  them  that  their  highest  am- 
bition should  be  to  inflict  the  greatest  injury  pos- 
sible upon  every  individual  and  tribe  they  might 
think  worth  exploiting  for  any  cause,  or  for  no 
cause.  The  intoxicating  beverages  and  modern 
weapons  received  from  their  new  tutors  made 
them  good  allies  in  the  eyes  of  these  tutors.  The 


6  The  Ohio  Country 

British  and  the  French  vied  with  each  other  in 
bidding  intoxicating  beverages,  weapons,  and  other 
things  desired  by  them,  each  for  the  purpose  of 
winning  the  trade  and  the  warrior  support  of  the 
Savages  against  the  other. 

The  French  sent  missionaries  and  traders  among 
the  Iroquois;  but  with  great  effort  the  British 
succeeded  in  retaining  most  of  the  trade  of  these 
"Six  Nations"  and  their  good  will.  Had  the 
French  succeeded  in  their  efforts  with  this  strong 
confederacy,  the  final  result  of  their  contention 
with  the  British  would  have  been  delayed,  if 
not  altogether  different. 

In  the  year  1747,  the  British  succeeded  in  caus- 
ing a  conspiracy  of  Chief  Nicholas  and  the  Hurons 
(Wyandots)  against  the  French;  but  the  latter 
soon  regained  the  friendship  of  this  strong  tribe. 

Scalps  of  both  British  and  French,  taken  by  the 
Savages,  were  purchased  by  both  respectively; 
a  most  inhuman  bidding  for  the  lives  of  each  other 
that  reacted  disastrously  upon  both.  For  a  time 
the  Savages  could  get  scalps  either  way  they 
roamed;  and  at  times  neither  purchaser  could  feel 
sure  he  was  not  buying  scalps  taken  from  his  own 
countrymen. 

The  Savages,  themselves  as  low  in  the  scale  of 
humanity  as  it  seemed  possible  to  descend,  were 


Introduction  7 

often  cloyed,  wearied  to  satiety,  by  the  unceasing 
intrigue  and  bloodshed  between  the  Europeans, 
which  had  been  going  on  in  America  for  fully  five 
generations. 

But  the  British  have  ever  been  noted  for  their 
persistency  as  well  as  for  their  aggressiveness,  and 
the  final  victory  over  the  French  in  America  was 
theirs  in  the  year  1760,  in  which  year  the  French 
forts  at  Detroit  and  elsewhere  were  peacefully 
surrendered  to  them. 

The  troubles  of  the  British  with  the  western 
tribes  of  Savages,  however,  did  not  end  with  the 
acquisition  of  the  fort  at  Detroit,  and  the  fort  at 
the  head  of  the  Maumee  River;  which  forts  had 
been  the  centres  of  many  merry  entertainments 
of  the  Savages,  and  had  witnessed  the  equipping 
of  war  parties  by  the  French  against  the  British. 
The  Savages  had  not  yet  witnessed  enough  of 
the  power  and  resources  of  the  British  to  fully 
understand  why  they  should  not  continue  with 
the  French,  or  set  up  war  against  the  British 
themselves. 

Then  came  the  Conspiracy  of  Pontiac,  with 
which  the  British  had  to  deal  at  a  great  expense  of 
life  and  money.  Much  diplomacy  was  needed 
also  before  they  were  at  all  comfortable  in  the  hope 
of  securing  the  Savages  as  allies  in  war,  which  had 


8  The  Ohio  Country 

been  their  policy  from  the  first.  At  different  times 
later,  they  had  a  great  fear  that  there  would  be  a 
federation  of  all  the  largest  northern  and  southern 
tribes  against  them.  As  late  as  February  18,  1771, 
Sir  William  Johnson,  their  greatest  Aborigine 
agent,  wrote  to  the  British  Secretary  of  State  in 
part  as  follows: 

"  It  is  really  a  matter  of  the  most  serious  nature,  for 
if  a  verry  small  part  of  those  people  have  been  capable 
of  reducing  us  to  such  straits  as  we  were  in  a  few  years 
since,  what  may  we  not  expect  from  such  a  formidable 
alliance  as  we  are  threatened  with,  when  at  the  same 
time  it  is  known  that  we  are  not  at  this  time  more 
capable  of  defiance,  if  so  much,  as  at  the  former  period. 
This  is  in  some  measure  the  consequence  of  their  be- 
coming better  acquainted  with  their  own  strength 
and  united  capacity  to  preserve  their  importance  & 
check  our  advances  into  their  country." 

With  the  allaying  of  this  fear,  came  a  new  op- 
position to  the  British  government  in  America, 
from  the  British  colonists  themselves ;  and,  as  the 
opposition  to  the  impositions  on  the  colonists 
increased,  the  London  and  local  governments  felt 
more  and  more  the  desire,  and  apparent  necessity, 
for  greater  efforts  to  ally  the  Savages  firmly  to 
them,  and  against  the  colonists.  Surely  a  strong 
and  even  savage  alliance  was  being  formed  to 
compel  subjection  of  the  colonists,  and  to  yet 


Introduction  9 

further  impoverish  those  who  had  already  been 
impoverished  beyond  a  reasonable  limit  by  the 
mother  country  in  her  wars  to  overcome  the 
French. 

At  this  late  day,  at  least,  the  British  govern- 
ment should  have  recognized  the  full  worth  of  the 
character  of  the  Pilgrims  and  Puritans;  the  value 
of  the  conscience  that  drove  them  into  the  distant 
wilderness  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  before, 
which  conscience,  with  renewed  and  renewing  love 
of  freedom,  had  been  transmitted  to  their  descend- 
ants through  the  generations,  and  had  been  im- 
parted to  thousands  of  Great  Britain's  hardy, 
good  citizens  who,  during  these  many  years,  had 
followed  their  countrymen  into  this  new  country. 
It  has  been  many  times  shown  that  the  British 
government  had  seldom,  if  ever,  taken  thought 
of  such  sentiment,  and  proper  action  regarding  it. 

Those  in  authority  during  this  period  of  time, 
and  later,  for  forty  years  at  least,  were  not  actuated 
by  humanitarian  motives,  but  by  a  selfish  desire 
to  compel  those  of  the  blood  of  their  own  country- 
men— who  had  been  born  and  reared  in  the  atmos- 
phere of  self-sustaining,  if  not  full,  freedom — to 
absolute  obedience  to  force ,  wholly  regardless 
of  the  consequences  to  the  colonists.  Could  any 
government  have  been  more  thoughtless,  even 


io  The  Ohio  Country 

outrageous,  in  the  treatment  of  its  subjects? 
Could  any  self-respecting  people  longer  consent 
to  live  under  such  a  government  ?  These  were  the 
questions  uppermost  in  the  minds  of  the  colonists. 

It  is  the  office  of  this  Introduction  to  briefly 
sketch  part  of  the  action  of  the  British  authorities 
in  further  tutoring  the  Aborigines  in  savagery, 
and  more  firmly  allying  them  to  their  efforts  to 
conquer  the  colonists  during  the  Revolutionary 
War,  as  somewhat  of  a  preparation  and  perspec- 
tive for  what  follows. 

Detroit  was  the  principal  western  post  of  the 
French,  and  it  became  such  to  the  British  immedi- 
ately after  their  conquest  of  the  French. 

When  the  Revolutionary  War  seemed  immi- 
nent, the  office  of  Lieutenant-Governor  and 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  was  created 
for  the  western  country,  with  headquarters  at 
Detroit.  Captain,  afterwards  Colonel,  Henry 
Hamilton  of  the  i5th  Regiment  of  British  troops 
was  appointed  to  this  office.  Arriving  at  Detroit 
November  9,  1775,  he  assumed  the  duties  required 
of  him.  He  proved  tactful  toward  the  Savages,  * 
cruel  and  remorseless  toward  the  Colonists. 

Previous  to  this  date  "war  belts  "  had  been  sent 
out  from  Detroit  to  the  different  tribes  for  their 
meetings  in  council;  and  such  "councils"  had  been 


Introduction  n 

held,  in  which  rum  flowed  freely,  its  insidious 
effects  being  supplemented  by  every  incitement 
calculated  to  inflame  the  Savages  against  the  Amer- 
cans  "who  were  endeavoring  to  crowd  them  from 
their  lands,*  and  now  had  rebelled  against  the 
good  king,  their  father,  who  was  distributing  so 
many  presents  and  kindnesses  to  his  Indian  chil- 
dren." Early  in  September,  1776,  the  new  officer, 
Hamilton,  wrote  to  Lord  George  Germain,  his 
superior  in  office,  that  "The  Ottawas,  Chippewas, 
Wyandottes  and  Pottawatomies,  with  the  Senecas 
would  fall  on  the  scattered  settlers  on  the  Ohio 
and  its  branches  .  .  .  whose  arrogance,  disloyalty 
and  imprudence  has  justly  drawn  upon  them  this 
deplorable  sort  of  war." 

Lord  Germain  took  pleasure  in  employing  agents 
who  would  incite  the  Savages  of  the  wilderness  to 
"fall  on  the  Americans."  He  had  complained  of 
Sir  Guy  Carleton,  afterwards  Lord  Dorchester, 
Governor  of  Canada,  for  not  making  full  use  of 
the  Savages;  and  Carleton  later  acquiesced  in  this 
inhuman  work.  Carleton  wrote  to  Hamilton, 
October  6,  1776,  to  "Keep  the  Indians  in  readi- 
ness to  join  me  in  the  Spring,  or  march  elsewhere 
as  they  may  be  most  wanted." 

War  parties  of  Savages,  thoroughly  equipped, 
and  commanded  by  British  officers,  were  sent  out 


12  The  Ohio  Country 

from  Detroit,  east,  south,  and  to  the  southwest, 
wherever  they  could  find  the  most  defenceless 
American  settlements  in  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  Vir- 
ginia, and  Kentucky,  to  plunder  and  to  kill. 
Places  of  refuge  were  attacked  and,  if  the  protect- 
ors could  be  overcome,  all  the  wounded  and  feeble 
were  massacred  and  the  others  taken  captive,  per- 
haps to  suffer  a  more  painful  death.  Governor 
Hamilton  reported  to  Secretary  Germain  under 
date  July  27,  1777,  that  he  had  sent  out  fifteen 
war  parties  composed  of  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
nine  Savage  warriors  with  thirty  British  officers 
and  rangers.  He  reported  to  Governor  Carleton 
January  15,  1778,  that:  "The  parties  sent  from 
hence  have  been  generally  successful,  although 
the  Indians  have  lost  men  enough  to  sharpen  their 
resentment;  they  have  brought  in  23  prisoners 
alive,  twenty  of  which  they  presented  to  me,  and 
129  scalps." 

Occasionally  a  war  party  would  number  several 
hundred,  but  usually  they  were  much  smaller, 
viz.:  August  25, 1778,  fifteen  Miamis  were  started; 
September  5th,  thirty-one  Miamis;  September  pth, 
one  Frenchman,  five  Chippewas,  and  fifteen  Mia- 
mis, are  the  statements  of  a  few  of  the  individual 
reports.  Hamilton  reported  September  i6th  that 
his  parties  "had  taken  thirty-four  prisoners,  sev- 


Introduction  13 

enteen  of  which  they  delivered  up,  and  eighty- 
one  scalps." 

All  scalps  were  paid  for.  When  the  Savages 
started  out  on  their  raids,  the  Governor,  and  some- 
times the  commandant  of  the  post  also,  encouraged 
them  by  singing  the  war  song,  by  the  gift  of  some 
weapon,  or  by  passing  the  weapons  of  the  Savages 
through  their  own  hands,  by  this  act  "taking  hold 
of  the  same  tomahawk"  to  show  full  sympathy 
in  the  murderous  work.  On  their  return  to  De- 
troit the  Savages  were  sometimes  welcomed  by 
the  firing  of  the  fort's  cannon.  Hamilton  was 
charged  with  having  stated  prices  for  American 
scalps,  but  generally  none  for  prisoners. 

The  flow  of  rum  was  so  great  in  Detroit,  and  the 
activity  of  the  Savages  was  so  much  impaired 
thereby,  that  an  official  inquiry  was  instituted  by 
Governor  Haldimand.  Only  active  persons  were 
wanted;  and  the  British  organization  and  disci- 
pline pervaded  every  quarter. 

Governor  William  Tryon  of  New  York  wrote 
to  Secretary  Germain  in  London,  under  date  July 
28,  1779,  that:  "My  opinions  remain  unchangeable 
respecting  the  utility  of  depradatory  excursions. 
I  think  Rebellion  must  soon  totter  if  those  ex- 
cursions are  reiterated  and  made  to  extremity." 

Captain  Lernoult  at  Detroit  did  not  prove  him- 


14  The  Ohio  Country 

self  equal  to  the  demands  of  his  more  cruel  supe- 
riors, and  he  was  superseded  in  October  by  Major 
Arent  Schuyler  De  Peyster,  a  pronounced  loyalist 
from  New  York. 

Efforts  were  renewed  to  establish  more  effective 
war  parties  of  Savages.  Some  scalps  had  been 
brought  in,  but  the  letters  of  the  new  command- 
ant to  Governor  Haldimand  under  date  of  Octo- 
ber 2oth  and  November  2oth  show  disgust  at  the 
great  quantities  of  rum  drunk  by  the  Savages ;  and 
also  at  their  inefficiency,  for  the  Savages  feared 
to  make  any  more  effective  raids  owing  to  their 
dread  of  American  retaliation. 

The  successes  of  the  Americans,  aided  by  some 
Frenchmen,  at  Vincennes  and  at  the  Illinois  posts 
under  command  of  the  patriotic,  brave,  and  in- 
trepid Colonel  George  Rogers  Clark,  one  of  which 
entailed  the  capture  of  the  notorious  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Hamilton,  with  his  command  and  sup- 
plies, induced  many  American  families  to  move 
from  the  East  in  the  autumn  of  1779;  and  during 
the  next  spring  three  hundred  family  boats  arrived 
at  the  falls  of  the  Ohio  River,  near  the  present 
city  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  with  immigrants 
from  the  East. 

The  Savages  were  generally  more  inactive  dur- 
ing the  cold  weather;  but  they  were  started  out 


Introduction  15 

early  in  the  spring.     Colonel  De  Peyster  reported 
May  16,  1780,  that: 

"The  prisoners  daily  brought  in  here  [Detroit]  are 
part  of  the  thousand  families  who  are  flying  from  the 
oppression  of  Congress  in  order  to  add  to  the  number 
already  settled  in  Kentuck,  the  finest  country  for 
new  settlers  in  America;  but  it  happens,  unfortunately 
for  them,  to  be  the  best  hunting  ground  of  the  Indians 
which  they  will  never  give  up  and,  in  fact,  it  is  our 
interest  not  to  let  the  Virginians,  Marylanders,  and 
Pennsylvanians  get  possession  there,  lest,  in  a  short 
time,  they  become  formidable  to  this  post." 

May  26th  De  Peyster  wrote  to  Captain  Patt. 
Sinclair,  who  had  been  named  Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  at  Mich- 
ilimackinac  (now  called  Mackinac)  for  the  more 
northern  district,  that:  "Everything  is  quiet  here 
except  the  constant  noise  of  the  war  drum.  All 
the  Seiginies  [Saginaw  Aborigines]  are  arrived  at 
the  instance  of  the  Shawnees  and  Delawares. 
More  Indians  from  all  quarters  than  ever  known 
before,  and  not  a  drop  of  rum! " 

June  ist,  De  Peyster  wrote  to  Governor  Haldi- 
mand  that  he  had  already  fitted  out  two  thousand 
warriors  and  sent  them  along  the  Ohio  and  Wa- 
bash  rivers;  and  the  returns  were  hundreds  of 
scalps  and  prisoners. 

Various  plans  were  made  by  the  Americans  for 


1 6  The  Ohio  Country 

the  capture  of  Detroit,  but  sufficient  military 
force  could  not  be  gathered.  Appeals  were  made 
to  General  Washington,  who  fully  appreciated  the 
necessity  for  decided  action  in  this  direction,  but 
he  replied: 

"It  is  out  of  my  power  to  send  any  reinforcements 
to  the  westward.  If  the  States  would  fill  their  Con- 
tinental battalions,  we  would  be  able  to  oppose  a  reg- 
ular and  permanent  force  to  the  enemy  in  every 
quarter.  If  they  will  not,  they  must  certainly  take 
measures  to  defend  themselves  by  their  militia,  how- 
ever expensive  and  ruinous  the  system." 

The  various  claims  of  the  Eastern  Colonies  to 
the  territory  west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains, 
based  on  old  English  charters,  had  been  the  cause 
of  friction  between  these  Colonies  for  many  years, 
and  it  required  yet  more  time  to  adjust  properly 
this  and  similar  affairs  to  the  Colonies'  mutual 
advantage. 

Continued  attacks  of  the  Savages  on  the  fron- 
tier, resulting  in  great  loss  of  life  to  the  Americans, 
including  the  defeat  of  militia  and  volunteers  sent 
against  the  marauders,  caused  fresh  and  increased 
terror  among  all  the  frontier  settlements.  Thomas 
Jefferson,  then  Governor  of  Virginia,  appealed  to 
General  Washington  for  aid  and  received  reply, 
written  at  New  Windsor  December  28,  1781,  that: 


Introduction  1 7 

"  I  have  ever  been  of  the  opinion  that  the  reduction 
of  the  post  of  Detroit  would  be  the  only  certain  means 
of  giving  peace  and  security  to  the  whole  western 
frontier,  and  I  have  constantly  kept  my  eyes  upon 
that  object;  but  such  has  been  the  reduced  state  of 
our  Continental  force,  and  such  the  low  ebb  of  our 
funds,  especially  of  late,  that  I  have  never  had  it  in 
my  power  to  make  the  attempt." 

Other  attempts  by  the  Colonies,  and  settlers  in 
the  West,  to  reduce  the  British  post  at  Detroit 
reacted  unfavorably  upon  those  making  them, 
from  their  want  of  a  sufficient  number  of  well  dis- 
ciplined men.  Nor  could  the  frontier  settlements 
with  their  refuge  blockhouses  be  well  protected 
against  the  great  number  of  thoroughly  organized 
British  forces,  principally  Savages,  which  were 
continually  being  sent  out  from  Detroit  up  to  the 
close  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  Even  when  at- 
tained, the  desired  peace  was  of  short  duration, 
as  will  be  told  in  the  following  pages. 


CHAPTER  II 

BRITISH    DIRECT    NON-OBSERVANCE  OF   TREATY   OP 
PARIS,   AND  THEN   SIGN  THE  TREATY 

The  First  Years  Following  the  Revolutionary  War — The 
First  Northwestern  Boundary  Line — The  Aborigines 
Willing  to  be  Friends  of  the  United  States — Causes  of 
their  Alliance  with  the  British — The  British  Continue 
to  Hold  Military  Posts  in  Opposition  to  Treaty — Large 
Amount  of  American  Property  Purloined  by  the  British. 

HTHE  Treaty  of  Paris  closing  the  Revolutionary 
*  War  was  signed  at  Versailles  September  3, 
1 783 ,  about  ten  months  after  the  preliminary  agree- 
ment which  stopped  hostilities.  This  treaty  dis- 
tinctly set  forth  that  the  territory  south  from  the 
middle  of  the  Great  Lakes  and  their  connecting 
waters,  and  east  from  the  middle  of  the  upper 
Mississippi  River,  should  belong  to  the  United 
States,  and  that  Great  Britain  should  "with  all 
convenient  speed"  withdraw  her  troops  and  be- 
longings from  Detroit  and  other  parts  of  this 
territory. 

18 


From  1783-1791  19 

The  American  Aborigines  were  willing,  as  they 
had  been  in  1760  at  the  time  of  the  British  suc- 
cession to  the  territories  of  the  French,  to  befriend 
the  nation  which  gave  them  presents  most  mu- 
nificently and  which  most  freely  indulged  their 
sensualities  accordingly.  In  May,  1783,  Benjamin 
Lincoln,  the  American  Secretary  of  War,  sent 
Ephraim  Douglas  to  the  Aborigines  of  Ohio,  and 
farther  west,  to  encourage,  and  win,  their  friend- 
ship to  the  United  States,  they  having  been  "al- 
lies" of  the  British  during  the  war,  and  not 
inclined  to  stop  hostilities  in  compliance  with 
the  agreement. 

Douglas  arrived  at  Sandusky,  Ohio,  the  7th  of 
June  and  passed  some  days  in  that  place  with 
the  Delaware  Aborigines;  he  then  went  among  the 
Wyandots,  Ottawas,  and  Miamis  along  the  lower 
Maumee  River.  On  July  4th  he  arrived  at  Detroit, 
and  there  Colonel  De  Peyster,  British  commandant 
of  the  post,  called  a  council,  ostensibly  in  the 
American  agent's  favor,  at  which  the  following 
tribes  were  represented,  viz. :  Chippewa,  Delaware, 
Kickapoo,  Miami,  Ottawa,  "Oweochtanos,"  Pian- 
kishaw,  Pottawotami,  Seneca,  Shawnee,  and  Wy- 
andot.  Mr.  Douglas  reported: 

"Most  of  them  gave  evident  marks  of  their  satis- 
faction at  seeing  a  subject  of  the  United  States  in  the 


20  The  Ohio  Country 

country.  They  carried  their  civilities  so  far  that  my 
lodging  was  all  day  surrounded  with  crowds  of  them 
when  at  home,  and  the  streets  lined  with  them  to  at- 
tend my  going  abroad,  that  they  might  have  an  op- 
portunity of  seeing  and  saluting  me,  which  they  did 
not  fail  to  do  in  their  best  manner  with  every  demon- 
stration of  joy." 

Mr.  Douglas  returned  to  Niagara  on  July  nth 
and  his  further  reports  lead  to  the  inference  that 
he  did  not  comprehend  the  full  cause  of  the  ad- 
herence of  the  Savages  to  the  British  during  the 
war,  or  the  mercenary  cause  of  their  dogging  his 
steps  during  his  visit  among  them;  and  that  he 
had  no  foreboding  of  the  many  bloody  years  that 
were  to  follow. 

The  British  allowances  to  the  Aborigines  had 
largely  ceased  when  the  agreement  preliminary  to 
the  treaty  was  signed.  The  Savage  "allies"  were 
therefore  short  of  rum  and  provisions;  and  they 
hoped  to  receive  from  the  agent  of  the  conquering 
nation  fresh  and  more  liberal  supplies.1 

1  The  cause  of  the  popularity  and  continued  successes  of 
the  British  with  the  Aborigines  is  plain,  and  to  the  discredit 
of  both  parties.  They  outbid  the  French,  and  the  Americans, 
in  their  lavish  giving  of  intoxicants  and  articles  that  delighted 
the  palates  and  eyes  of  the  Savages ;  and  exceeded  other  na- 
tions in  the  general,  and  special,  aid  extended  the  Savages 
for  the  free  indulgence  of  their  bloodthirsty  natures  enhanced 
by  strong  drink.  The  British  expenditures  for  this  purpose 
during  the  Revolutionary  War  grew  apace,  and  in  the  view 


From  1783-1791  21 

The  British  government  was  fully  apprised  of 
the  difficulties,  and  the  improper  aggressiveness, 
of  its  conduct  toward  and  with  the  American 
Aborigines,  before  and  after  the  close  of  the  war. 
Colonel  De  Peyster  early  saw  the  danger  of  the 
course  prescribed  for  him,  and  he  wrote  to  Gov- 
ernor Haldimand  accordingly. 

Also,  immediately  after  the  preliminary  treaty 
of  Paris,  the  British  began  to  experience  the  em- 
barrassment of  their  desired  relation  to  the  Abo- 
rigines,— of  the  difficulties  in  retaining  their  full 
influence  over  them  while  lessening  expenditures 
for  them.  Colonel  De  Peyster  reported  from  De- 
troit to  Governor  Haldimand' s  secretary  June  18, 
1783,  before  the  arrival  there  of  the  American 
agent,  Ephraim  Douglas,  that: 

"We  are  all  in  expectation  of  news.  Everything 
that  is  bad  is  spread  through  the  Indian  country  but, 

of  the  central  office  the  amounts  became  "enormous  and 
amazing,"  aggregating  millions  of  dollars.  From  December 
25,  1777,  to  August  31,  1778,  there  were  received  at  Detroit 
371,460  barrels  of  flour;  42,176  Ibs.  fresh  beef;  16,473  ^s- 
salt  beef;  203,932  Ibs.  salt  pork;  19,756  Ibs.  butter;  and  great 
quantities  of  mutton,  corn,  peas,  oatmeal,  rice,  and  rum.  In 
the  summer  of  1778  fifty -eight  and  a  half  tons  of  gunpowder 
were  sent  to  Detroit  from  Niagara,  of  which  the  Savages  re- 
ceived the  largest  share,  as  there  were  in  Detroit  August  30, 
1778,  but  four  hundred  and  eighty-two  militiamen  with  little 
use  for  ammunition  in  or  near  the  fort.  For  additional  state- 
ments, see  Zeisberger's  Diary,  and  Slocum's  History  of  the 
Maumee  River  Basin. 


22  The  Ohio  Country 

as  I  have  nothing  more  than  the  King's  proclamation 
from  authority,  I  evade  answering  impertinent  ques- 
tions. Heavens!  if  goods  do  not  arrive  soon,  what 
will  become  of  me  ?  I  have  lost  several  stone  weight  of 
flesh  within  these  twenty  days.  I  hope  Sir  John 
[Johnson,  British  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs] 
is  to  make  us  a  visit." 

To  prevent  complications,  and  consequent  quar- 
rels, the  United  States  Congress,  in  1783,  forbade 
the  purchase  of  land  from  the  Aborigines  by  indi- 
viduals or  companies.  The  British,  however,  con- 
tinued their  machinations  with  these  Aborigines. 

Agent  Ephraim  Douglas  reported  February  2, 
1784,  that  early  in  the  fall  of  1783,  Sir  John  John- 
son assembled  the  different  western  tribes  of  Abo- 
rigines on  United  States  soil,  at  Sandusky,  Ohio, 
and  having  prepared  them  with  lavish  distribution 
of  presents,  addressed  them  in  part  as  follows, 
Simon  Girty  being  their  interpreter,  viz.: 

"The  King,  his  and  their  common  father,  had  made 
peace  with  the  Americans,  and  had  given  them  the 
land  possessed  by  the  British  on  this  continent;  but 
the  report  of  his  having  given  them  any  part  of  their 
[the  Aborigines']  lands  was  false,  and  fabricated  by 
the  Americans  for  the  purpose  of  provoking  them 
against  their  father;  that  they  should,  therefore,  shut 
their  eyes  against  it.  So  far  the  contrary  was  proved, 
that  the  great  River  Ohio  was  to  be  the  line  between 
the  Indians  in  this  quarter  and  the  Americans,  over 


From  1783-1791  23 

which  the  latter  ought  not  to  pass  and  return  in 
safety." 

It  had  become  evident,  in  other  ways,  also, 
that  the  British,  although  defeated  in  war,  yet 
had  ulterior  designs  against  the  young  Republic. 
The  definitive  Treaty  of  Paris  reads  in  part  that : 

"His  Britannic  Majesty  shall  with  all  convenient 
speed,  and  without  causing  any  destruction,  or  carrying 
away  any  negroes  or  other  property  of  the  American 
inhabitants,  withdraw  all  his  armies,  garrisons,  and 
fleets  from  the  said  United  States,  and  from  every 
post,  place,  and  harbor  within  the  same." 

The  British  had  not  complied  with  this  agree- 
ment nor  made  any  effort  to  do  so  at  nine  or 
more  posts,  viz.:  Point  au  Fer  and  Dutchman's 
Point,  by  Lake  Champlain;  Oswegatchie  near  the 
present  Ogdensburg,  New  York;  Oswego,  Niagara, 
Fort  Erie,  Sandusky,  Detroit,  Michilimackinac, 
and  perhaps  one  or  two  more  small  places;  Detroit 
being  the  principal  post  of  all  for  their  purpose. 

General  Washington  had  not  been  pleased  with 
the  trend  of  affairs.  In  the  interest  of  peace  with 
the  British,  and  between  the  frontier  settlements 
and  Aborigines,  he  sent  Baron  von  Steuben  of  the 
United  States  Army  to  Governor  Haldimand  of 
Canada,  July  12,  1783,  to  ask  that  orders  be  issued 
for  the  withdrawal  of  the  British  troops  from 


24  The  Ohio  Country 

Detroit  and  other  posts  in  American  territory, 
whence  they  persisted  in  dominating  the  Aborigi- 
nes throughout  Ohio  and  the  Southwest.  The 
reply  was  that  no  orders  had  been  received  from 
his  superior  for  such  withdrawal.  Governor 
Clinton  was  refused  the  surrender  of  the  posts  in 
New  York  May  10,  1784,  as  was  Governor  Chit- 
tenden  of  Vermont,  the  posts  in  his  State  by  Lake 
Champlain.  Haldimand  afterward  wrote  that 
these  demands  by  States  were  easily  answered; 
"the  Treaty  being  with  Congress,  a  post  could  not 
be  surrendered  to  a  State";  a  point  well  taken. 

A  formal  demand  for  the  surrender  of  these 
posts  was  sent  by  General  Knox,  Secretary  of  War, 
by  messenger  Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Hull, 
July  12,  1784.  Again  Haldimand' s  reply  was  that 
he  had  received  no  orders  to  evacuate  the  posts, 
which,  while  truthful  in  a  sense,  was  a  dissimu- 
lation, as  he  had  received  orders  not  to  evacuate 
them;  and,  under  the  circumstances,  he  should 
have  had  honor  enough  to  so  state. 

The  Treaty  of  Paris  was  ratified  by  Congress 
January  14, 1 784,  and  by  Great  Britain  April  9, 1784. 
The  British  ministry  had  decided  before  this  time 
to  hold  the  posts,  and  the  Secretary  so  notified 
Haldimand  in  a  letter  which  was  dated  the  day 
before  the  ratification.  Here  was  perfidy  and  du- 


From  1783-1791  25 

plicity  in  keeping  with  many  other  orders  from 
Great  Britain  and  with  acts  of  her  agents  in  Amer- 
ica, both  before  and  after  this  date. 

No  one  could  be  found  to  give  tangible  expla- 
nation or  reason  for  the  non-compliance  with  the 
treaty.  How  different  this  from  the  last  injunc- 
tion of  Lord  Chatham,  in  his  reply  to  the  Duke  of 
Richmond,  who,  when  the  British  cause  in  Amer- 
ica was  tottering,  said,  "if  we  must  fall,  let  us 
fall  like  men!" 

In  her  supreme  arrogance,  Great  Britain  dis- 
dained sending  a  minister  to  the  United  States. 
John  Adams,  however,  was  sent  to  England  in 
1785  as  Minister  or  Agent,  but  was  received  gen- 
erally with  indifference.  Writes  one  of  England's 
historians : 

"The  King,  who  had  previously  declared  to  some  of 
his  attendants  that  he  looked  forward  to  his  first  in- 
terview with  this  new  minister  as  the  most  critical 
moment  of  his  life,  received  him  very  graciously,  and 
said  to  him,  with  that  honest  candor  which  was  a 
conspicuous  part  of  his  character,  '  I  was  the  last  man 
in  the  kingdom,  sir,  to  consent  to  the  independence 
of  America;  but,  now  it  is  granted,  I  shall  be  the  last 
man  in  the  kingdom  to  sanction  a  violation  of  it."1 

We  read  further: 

"The  King,  on  coming  to  the  crown,  had  supposed 
that  he  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  study  the  welfare 


26  The  Ohio  Country 

of  his  people;  but  he  soon  found  that  he  had  also  to 
study  the  tempers  and  jealousies  of  his  ministers,  who, 
though  they  were  his  ostensible  servants,  were,  in 
fact,  his  masters." 

This  was  not  the  condition  of  affairs  evident  in 
the  year  1775,  from  which  time  his  Majesty's 
officers  in  America  complied  literally,  and  liber- 
ally, with  his  injunction  to  Lord  Dunmore,  Gover- 
nor of  Virginia,  "to  arm  the  negroes  and  Indians  " ; 
and,  also,  with  his  positive  orders  to  Guy  Johnson, 
agent  among  the  Six  Nations  of  Iroquois  in  New 
York:  "to  secure  their  assistance,  to  .  .  .  Lose  no 
time;  induce  them  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against 
his  Majesty's  rebellious  subjects  in  America.  It 
is  a  service  of  very  great  importance;  fail  not  to 
exert  every  effort  that  may  tend  to  accomplish  it; 
use  the  utmost  diligence  and  activity." 

This  was  the  keynote  to  one  of  the  most  unholy 
and  inhuman  alliances  known  to  history.  Fail 
not  to  exert  every  effort  that  may  tend  to  accom- 
plish the  alliance  of  the  American  Savages,  the 
worst  in  history,  with  the  British,  was  the  British 
slogan  throughout  the  Revolutionary  War  and 
for  many  years  thereafter,  particularly  in  the  old 
Northwestern,  and  Southwestern,  Territories. 

The  conscientious  General  Washington  sug- 
gested, December  14,  1784,  that  possibly  the  non- 


From  1783-1791  27 

payment  of  individual  debts  to  British  subjects 
might  be  a  reason  (he  did  not  say  a  valid  one)  for 
the  British  retention  of  American  posts;  and  the 
British  slowly  got  hold  of  this  idea.  Minister 
Adams,  during  his  efforts  in  London  to  get  some 
satisfaction  for  their  non-compliance  with  agree- 
ment, could  only  get  an  occasional  hint  about 
debts.  The  Marquis  of  Carmarthen,  being  pressed 
by  Adams,  was  led  to  state  that  the  posts  would 
not  be  delivered  until  the  debts  were  paid.  Adams 
warmly  replied  that  such  payment  was  not  stipu- 
lated in  the  treaty;  and  that  no  government 
undertook  to  pay  the  private  debts  of  its  subjects. 
Adams  could  do  no  more,  in  fact  nothing,  to  get 
what  he  considered  a  respectful  hearing  and  proper 
treatment  of  this  or  of  other  questions  relating  to 
the  best  interests  of  the  two  countries,  or  to  the 
United  States,  and  he  returned  home. 

While  showing  no  favor  to  the  United  States 
the  British  desired  to  have  an  official  representa- 
tive in  the  country  that  they  might  be  kept  in- 
formed regarding  the  sentiments  and  acts  of  the 
people,  and  of  the  government.  For  this  purpose, 
Sir  John  Temple  was  appointed  consul  in  Novem- 
ber, 1785,  and,  upon  discussion  of  the  matter,  he 
was  received  by  the  State  Department  as  a  favor 
to  Great  Britain. 


28  The  Ohio  Country 

In  December,  1786,  Phineas  Bond  was  sent  to 
London  as  consul  to  Great  Britain  from  New  York, 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and  Maryland.  After  a 
period  of  hesitancy  on  the  part  of  the  government, 
he  was  received ;  and  in  later  years  it  was  acknow- 
ledged by  the  British  that  Mr.  Bond  was  of  service 
to  them,  and  no  complaints  were  made  by  the 
States  that  sent  him. 

The  United  States  government  instituted  in- 
quiries regarding  the  laws  of  the  several  States 
against  the  collection  of  debts  by  foreigners;  and 
some  such  laws  that  might  prove  obnoxious  to 
some  subjects  of  Great  Britain  were  repealed.1 

Early  in  1791,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Secretary  of 
State,  sent  Gouverneur  Morris  to  London  as  pri- 
vate agent,  to  learn  the  sentiment  of  the  British 
ministry  regarding:  "ist,  Their  retention  of  the 
American  military  posts;  2nd,  Indemnification  for 
the  Negroes  carried  away  by  the  British  soldiers; 
3rd,  A  treaty  for  the  regulation  of  commerce,  and 
4th,  The  exchange  of  ministers." 

Morris,  from  his  more  affable  nature  and  his 

1  In  this  connection,  see  Benjamin  Franklin's  articles  on 
Sending  Felons  to  America,  and  his  Retort  Courteous  for  sar- 
casm regarding  the  British  desire  to  be  paid  by  the  people 
whose  property  they  had  destroyed  after  the  treaty,  either 
personally  or  at  any  rate  through  their  allies.  Also  compare 
the  Laws  of  Virginia  regarding  claims;  and  several  letters  of 
Henry  Knox,  Secretary  of  War,  No.  150,  Volume  i. 


From  1783-1791  29 

greater  love  for  high  society,  also  probably  from 
his  more  facile  business  training,  dwelt  much  nearer 
the  governing  forces  in  London  than  did  Adams; 
and  his  powers  of  observation,  and  discernment, 
were  none  the  less  clear.  He  felt  obliged  to  report 
that  the  British 

"were  decided  not  to  surrender  the  posts  in  any 
event ;  and  as  our  courts  were  shut  against  the  collec- 
tion of  debts,  they  suggested  indemnification  on  our 
part,  and  that  they  would  set  it  so  high  (if  it  was  ad- 
mitted) as  to  insure  disagreement;  that  they  had 
measures  for  concealing  the  Negroes  carried  away; 
and  lastly,  that  they  equivocated  on  every  proposal 
of  a  treaty  of  commerce." 

Here,  at  last,  was  somewhat  of  a  statement, 
gathered  piecemeal  and  informally,  showing  that 
the  British,  as  usual,  continued  to  arrogate  to 
themselves  the  right  to  treat  the  United  States 
disrespectfully,  according  only  to  their  supreme 
selfishness,  regardless  of  the  formal  treaty! 

A  recent  English  writer  says1: 

"Considering  the  clouded  state  of  the  political  hori- 
zon, it  is  not  surprising  that  Morris's  patience  was 
tried  by  an  unwillingness  of  the  British  ministers  to 
commit  themselves  to  any  arrangement  with  him. 
As  statesmen  of  the  Old  World,  they  could  condone 

1  Edward  Smith,  in  his  England  and  America  after  Inde- 
pendence, page  23. 


30  The  Ohio  Country 

the  irregularity  of  his  secret  mission.  But  it  was  their 
business  to  temporize,  and  see  what  turn  European 
affairs  would  take." 

This  confession  of  selfish  arrogance  was  probably 
the  truth  of  the  matter.  They  had  the  advantage 
over  the  young  Republic,  and  were  determined  to 
keep  it,  while  alleging  the  complexity  of  European 
troubles  as  an  excuse. 

Not  a  word  was  at  this  time  uttered  regarding 
improper  treatment  of  their  friends,  the  Tories, 
many  of  whom  remained  even  after  the  with- 
drawal of  the  British  armies,  and  for  whom  the 
tender  conscience  of  some  American  statesmen 
had  awakened  some  sympathy  in  the  States.  It 
is  probably  true  that  in  some  parts  of  the  States 
the  treatment  of  loyalists  (Tories)  did  not  fully 
accord  with  the  phrasing  of  the  Treaty  of  Paris 
on  this  subject;  though  it  did  accord  with  right 
and  reason.  There  had  been  many  instances  of 
extreme  violence  during  the  war  by  these  loyalists 
against  the  hard-pressed  colonists;  instances  where 
they  had  taken  up  arms  and  led  the  British  against 
their  neighbors,  and  otherwise  clandestinely 
caused  the  death  of  neighbors  on  account  of  their 
efforts  for  independence ;  and  it  was  beyond  reason 
that  such  persons  (Tories)  would  be  welcomed  as 
though  they  had  the  full  rights  of  patriots,  or  even 


From  1783-1791  s1 

tolerated  in  such  neighborhoods  after  the  close  of 
the  war.  The  Americans  quite  agreed  that  all 
such  persons  should  have  departed  with  the 
British.  For  them  to  remain  on  or  near  the  scenes 
of  so  much  suffering  and  bloodshed,  as  constant 
reminders  of  their  participation  in  the  cause  of 
it,  was  but  to  invite  the  punishment  they  fully 
deserved. 

In  August,  1791,  Great  Britain  sent  her  first 
Minister,  George  Hammond,  to  the  United  States. 
He  was  well  received;  and  President  Washington 
soon  appointed  Thomas  Pinckney  Minister  to 
Great  Britain.  Secretary  Jefferson,  in  his  direct 
way,  soon  approached  Hammond  regarding  the 
continued  occupancy  of  American  military  posts 
by  British  troops,  and  requested  their  with- 
drawal. "Being  pressed  as  to  the  full  extent 
of  his  powers,"  Hammond  acknowledged  that  he 
was  not  empowered  to  perform  any  definite  act 
or  agreement,  and  that  his  instructions  were  of 
a  general  "plenipotentiary"  character. 

President  Washington's  proclamation  of  neu- 
trality between  the  French  and  British  in  another 
of  their  quarrels,  and  his  later  letter  to  the 
French  expressing  general  confidence,  together 
with  the  requested  recall  of  the  French  Min- 
ister by  the  United  States  government,  displeased 


32  The  Ohio  Country 

the  parties  at  home  and  abroad,  as  is  usual  in 
such  cases. 

The  British  plot  was  deepening.  For  her  in- 
creasing European  war  expenditures,  she  was 
receiving  great  profits  from  her  continued  depri- 
vation of  the  United  States  of  the  American  Abo- 
rigine trade.  By  retaining  the  United  States' 
posts,  she  could  continue  to  dominate  the  Abo- 
rigines and  the  western  country  in  its  trade,  and 
possibly  in  its  destiny. 


CHAPTER  III 

DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  WEST  CHECKED  BY  BRITISH 
INFLUENCES 

Aborigine  Claims  to  Land  Based  on  Conquest,  which  Claims 
the  Savages  and  the  British  Were  not  Willing  to  Accede 
to  the  United  States,  their  Conqueror — Treaties  with 
Aborigines — Reservations — Cession  to  United  States  of 
Western  Claims  by  States — Civil  Organizations — Surveys 
for  Settlements — Ohio  Land  Companies — Fort  Finney 
Built — Continued  Control  of  Aborigines  by  British — Ex- 
peditions against  Savage  Marauders — Desire  in  the  West 
for  Independence  from  the  United  States — Unauthorized 
Retaliations  on  Spaniards  Allayed. 

HPHE  Aborigines  continued  to  be  unsettled  and 
*      to  threaten  the  peace ;  and  the  United  States 
government    continued   a   pacific  policy  toward 
them  and  the  British. 

The  Legislature  of  New  York  for  some  time 
after  the  Treaty  of  Paris  favored  the  expulsion 
from  American  territory  of  the  Six  Nations  (the 
Iroquois  of  New  York),  on  account  of  their  in- 
stability and  treachery;  but  this  question  was 

3  33 


34  The  Ohio  Country 

finally  settled  by  the  United  States  Congress 
in  favor  of  continued  forbearance,  and  it  was  de- 
cided that  efforts  be  made  to  keep  them  as  fully 
as  possible  from  British  influence ;  to  civilize  them 
by  treaty,  and  to  confine  them  to  narrower  limits 
by  gradually  and  nominally  purchasing  their 
claims  to  territory  unnecessary  to  them. 

Accordingly,  October  22,  1784,  a  treaty  was 
effected  at  Fort  Stanwix,  on  the  site  of  the  present 
city  of  Rome,  New  York,  where  the  Six  Nations 
relinquished  all  claims  to  the  country  west  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains.  These  claims  were  based 
on  the  idea,  shared  alike  by  them  and  the  British, 
that  they  were  entitled  to  this  territory  by  virtue 
of  their  conquest  of  the  western  tribes;  but  they 
did  not  want  to  accord  the  Americans  a  similar 
right  to  this  territory,  which  the  Americans  had 
wrested  from  these  Savages,  as  well  as  from  the 
British,  by  hard-won  victories. 

Virginia  ceded  to  the  United  States  all  of  her 
right,  title,  and  claim,  derived  by  charter  from 
Queen  Elizabeth,  to  the  country  northwest  of  the 
Ohio  River,  March  i,  1784.  Congress  was  prepared 
for  this  act,  and  by  a  committee,  of  which  Thomas 
Jefferson  was  chairman,  reported  the  same  day  a 
plan  for  its  temporary  government.  The  names 
proposed  for  the  divisions  of  this  territory  not 


From  1784-1787  3$ 

meeting  with  approval  by  Congress,  they  were 
erased  from  the  plan  April  23d;  and  later  this  sug- 
gested plan  for  division  was  rejected. 

Continuing  its  humane  policy  toward  the  Abo- 
rigines, the  United  States,  by  Commissioners 
George  Rogers  Clark,  Richard  Butler,  and  Arthur 
Lee,  met  the  chiefs  of  the  Chippewa,  Delaware, 
Ottawa,  and  Wyandot  tribes  at  Fort  Mclntosh, 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  Ohio  River  at  the  mouth 
of  Beaver  Creek  about  twenty-nine  miles  below 
Pittsburg,  and  January  21,  1785,  effected  a  treaty 
in  which  the  limits  of  their  territory  were  agreed 
upon  as  follows:  the  Maumee  River  on  the  west, 
and  the  Cuyahoga  on  the  east;  from  Lake  Erie  to 
a  line  running  westward  from  Fort  Laurens,  by 
the  Tuscarawas  River,  to  the  portage  on  the  head- 
waters of  the  Miami  River,  at  Loramie;  all  being 
in  the  present  State  of  Ohio.  Reservations  were 
made  by  the  United  States  of  tracts  six  miles 
square,  at  this  portage,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Maumee  River,  and  two  miles  square  at  the  lower 
Sandusky  River.  Three  Aborigine  chiefs  were 
to  remain  hostages  with  the  Commissioners  until 
all  American  prisoners  then  held  by  the  Aborigines 
were  surrendered. 

Overtures  for  treaty  and  peace  were  also  made 
to  the  Miami,  Pottawotami,  Piankishaw,  and  other 


36  The  Ohio  Country 

western  tribes,  but,  through  the  influence  of  the 
British  and  French  with  whom  they  associated, 
and  who  were  in  opposition  to  the  American  sys- 
tem of  government,  land  surveys,  and  definite 
land  titles,  the  desired  treaty  could  not  be  effected. 
A  large  council  of  these  tribes,  however,  was  held, 
the  following  August,  at  Ouiotenon,  generally 
known  as  Wea,  by  the  Wabash  River,  where  the 
policy  of  continuing  savage  raids  on  American 
frontier  settlements  was  inculcated. 

On  April  19,  1785,  the  Legislature  of  Massa- 
chusetts released  to  the  general  government  her 
claims  in  the  Northwestern  Territory,  excepting 
a  small  part  in  southeastern  Michigan  which  was 
released  May  30,  1800.  This  claim,  like  other 
claims  by  the  Colonies,  was  based  on  the  old 
English  charters,  or  patents,  the  English  deriving 
their  right  from  their  discovery  of  the  Atlantic 
shore. 

The  desire  of  the  immigrants  from  the  Eastern 
States  to  obtain  western  lands  for  settlement  be- 
came so  great  after  the  treaty  of  Fort  Mclntosh, 
that  this,  combined  with  the  necessity  of  estab- 
lishing permanent  lines  for  titles,  induced  Con- 
gress to  pass,  on  May  20,  1785,  "An  Ordinance 
for  Ascertaining  the  Mode  of  Disposing  of  Lands 
in  the  Western  Territory,"  which  provided  for 


From  1784-1787  37 

the  survey  and  marking  of  lines  of  townships, 
water-power  sites,  etc. 

"Several  disorderly  persons  having  crossed  the 
Ohio  River  and  settled  upon  unappropriated 
lands,"  Congress  passed  an  act,  June  15,  1785, 
prohibiting  such  intrusions,  and  commanding  the 
intruders  "to  depart  with  their  families  and  effects 
without  loss  of  time,  as  they  shall  answer  the 
same  at  their  peril."  This  action  was  taken  to 
protect  the  lives  of  the  would-be  settlers,  as  two 
members  of  the  four  families  who  settled  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Scioto  River  were  killed  by  Savages 
in  April.  The  action  of  Congress  was  also  intended 
to  allay  the  antipathy  of  the  Savages,  while  pre- 
paring the  country  for  formal  settlement.  It  was 
dttring^this  summer  that  the  extensive  purchases 
of  land  by  the  Ohio  Company  of  Associates,  and 
by  John  Cleves  Symmes,  were  negotiated. 

A  few  United  States  troops  occasionally  passed 
along  the  Ohio  River  from  Fort  Pitt  (now  Pitts- 
burg)  to  and  from  Vincennes  and  Kaskaskia,  escort- 
ing officers,  carrying  despatches,  and  convoying 
supplies.  October  22,  1785,  the  building  of  Fort 
Finney  was  begun  by  Major  Finney's  command  on 
the  bank  of  the  Big  Miami  River,  about  a  mile 
above  its  mouth  in  the  Ohio.  Here,  on  January  3 1 , 
1786,  commissioners  effected  a  treaty  with  the 


38  The  Ohio  Country 

Shawnees,  with  Wyandot  and  Delaware  represent- 
atives as  witnesses,  wherein  land  was  allotted  to 
them  southwest  of  that  allotted  at  the  treaty  of 
Fort  Mclntosh,  and  extending  to  the  Wabash  River, 
with  like  conditions.  Hostages  were  retained  for 
the  return  of  American  captives,  as  at  other 
treaties;  but  the  hostages  escaped,  and  very  few 
captives  were  returned.  The  Miamis  and  other 
tribes  farther  west  were  urged  to  participate  in 
these  treaties,  but  they  again  declined,  they  being 
more  strongly  under  British  influence.1 

A  large  number  of  settlers  from  the  East  con- 
tinued to  come  into  the  Ohio  River  Valley;  and 
depredations  on  them  by  the  Savages  became  so 
frequent  and  exasperating  that  a  thousand  Ken- 
tuckians,  under  command  of  General  Clark, 
marched  to  Vincennes  against  the  tribes  along 
the  Wabash  River  in  the  fall  of  1786;  but  poor 
supplies  and  disaffection  among  the  volunteers 
caused  the  expedition  to  return  without  having 
punished  the  enemy. 

Nearly  eight  hundred  mounted  riflemen  under 
Colonel  Benjamin  Logan  were  fitted  out  against 
the  hostile  Shawnees,  and,  detouring  the  head- 

>  See  the  United  States  State  Department  MSS.,  No.  56, 
pages  345,  395,  and  No.  150.  Also  the  Haldimand  Papers 
during  1784  to  1786. 


From  1784-1787  39 

waters  of  Mad  River,  in  the  present  Clark  and 
Champaign  counties,  Ohio,  they  burned  eight 
large  towns  of  the  Aborigines,  destroyed  many 
fields  of  corn,  killed  about  ten  warriors  including 
the  head  chief,  and  captured  thirty-two  prisoners. 1 

On  September  14,  1786,  the  State  of  Connecticut 
released  in  favor  of  the  United  States  her  claims 
to  lands  in  the  Northwestern  Territory  excepting 
her  "Western  Reserve"  from  the  forty-first  de- 
gree of  latitude  to  that  of  forty-two  degrees  and 
two  minutes,  and  from  the  western  line  of  Penn- 
sylvania to  a  north  and  south  line  one  hundred 
and  twenty  miles  to  the  west;  and  that  State 
opened  an  office  for  the  disposal  of  that  part 
of  the  Reserve  east  of  the  Cuyahoga  River,  the 
eastern  boundary  of  the  territory  allotted  to  the 
Aborigines. 

With  the  increasing  population  west  of  the  Alle- 
gheny Mountains,  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi River  became  a  paramount  question;  and 
some  misconceptions  regarding  Secretary  John 
Jay's  efforts  for  a  treaty  with  Spain,  combined 
with  the  activities  of  designing  men,  some  of 

1  For  full  description  of  the  temper  of  the  Savages  and  of 
the  American  settlements,  and  of  efforts  of  the  general  gov- 
ernment for  peace,  see  United  States  State  Department  MSS., 
Nos.  30,  56,  60,  and  150.  Also  the  Draper  MSS.  in  the  Wis- 
consin Historical  Society  Library. 


40  The  Ohio  Country 

whom  were  allied  to  British  interests,  caused 
commotion  in  the  Ohio  Valley,  increasing  among 
the  settlements  to  a  clamor  for  independence,  or 
separation  from  the  American  Union.  General 
George  R.  Clark,  whose  active  command,  to  curtail 
expenses,  had  been  withdrawn  July  2,  1783,  act- 
ing with  others  at  Vincennes,  decided  to  garrison 
the  abandoned  Post  Vincennes.  An  independent 
company  of  men  was  enlisted  early  in  October, 
1786,  and,  with  this  company,  the  goods  of  Spanish 
merchants  at  Vincennes  and  elsewhere  along  the 
Ohio  River  were  seized  with  a  "determination  that 
they  should  not  trade  up  the  river,  if  they  would 
not  let  the  Americans  trade  down  the  Missis- 
sippi." The  Council  of  Virginia  decided  positively 
against  these  measures  February  28,  1787;  and, 
by  resolution  of  Congress,  April  24th,  the  United 
States  troops  along  the  Ohio  River  were  directed 
to  take  immediate  and  efficient  measures  "for  dis- 
possessing a  body  of  men  who  had,  in  a  lawless 
and  unauthorized  manner,  taken  possession  of 
Post  Vincennes  in  defiance  of  the  proclamation 
and  authority  of  the  United  States."  The  re- 
cently brevetted  Brigadier-General  Josiah  Harmar, 
with  a  small  force  of  United  States  soldiers,  then 
took  possession  of  the  post,  and  allowed  Clark 
and  his  followers  to  return  to  their  homes.  Thus 


From  1784-1787  41 

was  averted  a  possible  war  with  Spain  and  France 
combined. 

The  Americans  engaged  in  these  overt  acts  wrote 
to  their  friends  that  "Great  Britain  stands  ready 
with  open  arms  to  receive  and  support  us.  They 
have  already  offered  to  open  their  resources  for 
our  supplies." 


CHAPTER  IV 

CONTINUED  NEFARIOUS   WORK  WITH  THE  SAVAGES 

Activities  of  the  British  against  the  United  States — Their 
Main  Fort  in  American  Territory  Strengthened — Benedict 
Arnold  with  them — Organization  of  the  Territory  North- 
west of  the  Ohio  River — Increase  in  Population — Other 
Civil  Organizations — More  Systematic  Efforts  to  Check 
British  Influence  with  American  Aborigines  —  Forts 
Built — Reports  of  the  Extensive  Savage  Work  Done 
by  the  Aborigines — Cannibalism. 

TTHE  animus  of  Great  Britain  at  this  time  is 
*•  further  shown  by  a  letter  of  March  22,  1787, 
from  Sir  John  Johnson  to  Joseph  Brant,  the  most 
prominent  chief  of  the  Six  Nations  (Iroquois), 
regarding  the  military  posts  yet  held  by  the  British 
in  American  territory.  This  is  given  in  part  as 
follows : 

"It  is  for  your  [the  Aborigines']  sake,  chiefly,  that 
we  hold  them.  If  you  become  indifferent  about  them 
they  may,  perhaps,  be  given  up  ...  whereas, 
by  supporting  them  you  encourage  us  to  hold  them, 
and  discourage  the  new  settlements  .  .  .  every 

42 


From  1787-1790  43 

day  increased  by  numbers  coming  in  who  find  they 
cannot  live  in  the  States." 

Arthur  St.  Clair,  then  Representative  in  Con- 
gress from  Pennsylvania,  also  reported  April  13, 
1787,  the  continued  infraction  of  the  Treaty  of 
Paris  regarding  these  forts. 

The  noted  Virginia  loyalist  (Tory)  Doctor  John 
Connolly,  who  had  been  active  against  the  col- 
onists during  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  was  yet 
a  British  subject,  resident  in  Canada,  again  be- 
came active  for  his  king,  traversing  Ohio  and  Ken- 
tucky in  1787,  '88,  '89  in  efforts  to  alienate  the 
American  settlers  from  the  East,  and  to  ally  them 
with  the  British  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  the 
Spanish  territory  by  the  lower  rivers  and  control- 
ling the  Mississippi  Basin.  General  James  Wil- 
kinson charged  that  Connolly  was  an  emissary 
direct  from  Lord  Dorchester,  then  Governor  of 
Canada,  and  Wilkinson  himself  was  not  free  from 
suspicion  of  being  engaged  in  a  similar  scheme. 
The  probability  of  the  correctness  of  Wilkinson's 
charge  against  Connolly,  however,  was  strength- 
ened by  the  fact  that,  in  June  of  this  year,  the 
British  garrison  at  Detroit  was  largely  reinforced 
from  lower  Canada,  and  the  next  year  the  forti- 
fications were  rebuilt  and  strengthened  by  order 
of  Lord  Dorchester,  who  was  then  there. 


44  The  Ohio  Country 

These  warlike  preparations  on  American  terri- 
tory continued  for  some  length  of  time,  and  simi- 
lar preparations  were  occasionally  made  for  several 
years. 1  Benedict  Arnold  was  reported  as  being  in 
Detroit  about  June  i,  1790,  inspecting  the  British 
troops;  and  on  August  25th,  President  Washing- 
ton took  official  notice  of  the  British  prepara- 
tions, which  were  evidently  for  a  Mississippi 
campaign. 

The  Congressional  Committee  on  the  Territory 
Northwest  of  the  Ohio  River  reported,  July  7, 1786, 
a  plan  for  its  division;  and  the  full  Ordinance  for 
the  government  of  this  Territory  was  made  a  law 
July  13,  1787.  This  "Ordinance  of  1787"  marks 
an  era  in  legislative  history.  The  principal  officers 
for  the  Northwestern  Territory  under  this  Ordi- 
nance, who  were  appointed  October  5th,  to  enter 
upon  their  duties  February  i,  1788,  were  the 
following:  Governor,  Major-General  Arthur  St. 
Clair;  Judges,  Samuel  H.  Parsons,  James  M.  Var- 
num,  and  John  Armstrong;  Secretary,  Winthrop 
Sargent.  John  Armstrong  declining  to  serve, 

1  See  James  Wilkinson's  Memoirs,  volume  ii;  Charles  E. 
A.  Gayarre's  History  of  Louisiana,  volume  Hi;  State  Depart- 
ment MSS. ;  Virginia  State  Papers,  volume  iv;  Draper  MSS. ; 
Gardoqui  MSS.,  etc.  For  accounts  of  the  treachery  and  sav- 
agery of  the  Aborigines  during  these  years,  see  United  States 
State  Department  MSS.,  and  Draper  MSS. 


From  1787-1790  45 

John  Cleves  Symmes  was  appointed  to  fill  the 
vacancy. 

It  was  estimated  that  within  a  year  after  the 
organization  of  this  Territory,  twenty  thousand 
men,  women,  and  children  from  the  Eastern  States 
passed  down  the  Ohio  River  to  settle  in  the  Ohio 
River  Basin. 

The  renewal  of  military  preparations  by  the 
British  in  this  Territory,  centering  at  Detroit,  had 
an  exciting  effect  upon  the  American  Aborigines, 
who  had  long  been  impatient  of  their  enforced 
quiet.  The  increasing  settlements  in  southern 
Ohio,  and  south  of  the  river,  on  lands  relinquished 
by  the  Aborigines  in  treaties,  and  the  completion 
of  the  organization  of  the  Territory,  were  eagerly 
accepted  as  incentives  for  repeating  their  murder- 
ous raids  upon  the  settlements. 

To  allay  the  maraudings,  Congress,  July  21, 
1787,  directed  the  Superintendent  of  Aborigine 
Affairs  for  the  Northern  Department,  or,  if  he  was 
unable  to  attend  to  it,  General  Josiah  Harmar,  to 
proceed  to  the  most  convenient  place  and  make 
treaty  both  with  the  Aborigines  of  the  Wabash 
River  country  and  with  the  Shawnees  of  the  central 
western  part  of  Ohio,  and  to  grant  them  all  assur- 
ances consistent  with  the  honor  and  dignity  of  the 
United  States. 


46  The  Ohio  Country 

These  and  repeated  like  efforts  for  peace  were 
unavailing.  Thereupon  the  first  instructions  by 
Congress  to  Governor  St.  Clair  in  1788  were: 

i.  Examine  carefully  into  the  real  temper  of  the 
Aborigines.  2.  Remove  if  possible  all  causes  of  con- 
troversy, so  that  peace  and  harmony  may  be  estab- 
lished between  the  United  States  and  the  Aborigine 
tribes.  3.  Regulate  trade  among  the  Aborigines. 

4.  Neglect  no  opportunity  that  offers  for  extinguish- 
ing the  Aborigine  claims  to  lands  westward  as  far  as 
the  Mississippi  River,  and  northward  as  far  as  the 
completion  of  the  forty-first  degree  of  north  latitude. 

5.  Use  every  possible  endeavor  to  ascertain  the  names 
of  the  real  head  men  and  warriors  of  the  several  tribes, 
and  to  attach  these  men  to  the  United  States  by  every 
possible  proper  means.     6.  Make  every  exertion  to 
defeat  all  confederations  and  combinations  among  the 
tribes ;  and  conciliate  the  white  people  inhabiting  the 
frontiers,  toward  the  Aborigines. 

The  county  of  Washington  in  the  Northwest 
Territory  was  organized  in  1778  within  the  present 
limits  of  Ohio;  and  Governor  St.  Clair  and  the 
judges  adopted  and  published  laws,  both  civil 
and  criminal,  for  the  government  and  protection 
of  the  Territory. 

Governor  St.  Clair  succeeded  in  effecting  with 
the  Six  Nations  another  treaty,  January  9,  1789, 
this  time  at  Fort  Harmar  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mus- 
kingum  River  by  the  Ohio;  also  with  the  Chippe- 


From  1787-1790  47 

was,  Delawares,  Ottawas,  Pottawotamis,  Sacs, 
and  Wyandots;  all  of  whom  confirmed  the  bound- 
ary of  Aborigine  claims  according  to  previous 
treaties.  These  Aborigines  at  this  treaty  received 
from  the  United  States  six  thousand  dollars  in 
money,  additional  to  the  payments  with  former 
treaties.  But  a  few  weeks,  however,  sufficed  to 
again  demonstrate  their  insincerity,  and  treachery, 
their  maraudings  being  resumed  with  the  opening 
of  spring. 

General  Henry  Knox,  Secretary  of  War,  re- 
ported to  President  Washington  June  13,  1789, 
that  murders  by  Savages  were  yet  being  com- 
mitted on  both  sides  of  the  Ohio  River,  and  that 
the  inhabitants  were  exceedingly  alarmed  through 
the  extent  of  six  or  seven  hundred  miles;  that  the 
settlers  had  been  in  constant  warfare  with  the 
Savages  for  many  years;  and  that: 

"The  injuries  and  murders  have  been  so  reciprocal 
that  it  would  be  a  point  of  critical  investigation  to 
know  on  which  side  they  had  been  the  greater.  Some 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Kentucky  the  past  year,  roused 
by  recent  injuries,  made  an  incursion  into  the  Wabash 
country  and,  possessing  an  equal  aversion  to  all  bear- 
ing the  name  Indians,  they  destroyed  a  number  of 
peaceable  Piankishaws  who  prided  themselves  in 
their  attachment  to  the  United  States.  ...  By 
the  best  and  latest  information  it  appears  that  by  the 
Wabash  and  its  communications  there  are  from  fifteen 


48  The  Ohio  Country 

hundred  to  two  thousand  warriors.  An  expedition 
with  a  view  of  extirpating  them,  or  destroying  their 
towns,  could  not  be  undertaken  with  a  probability  of 
success  with  less  than  an  army  of  two  thousand  and 
five  hundred  men.  The  regular  troops  of  the  United 
States  on  the  frontiers  are  less  than  six  hundred,  of 
which  number  not  more  than  four  hundred  could  be 
collected  from  the  posts." 

The  posts  referred  to  were  Forts  Pitt,  Harmar, 
Steuben,  at  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio  River,  and 
Vincennes. 

The  Kentuckians  again  decided  to  avenge  some 
wrongs  they  had  recently  suffered  and,  on  August 
26,  1789,  Colonel  John  Hardin  led  two  hundred 
volunteer  cavalrymen  across  the  Ohio  River  at 
the  Falls,  and  to  the  Wabash.  They  killed  six 
Aborigines,  burned  one  deserted  town,  and  des- 
troyed what  corn  they  found,  returning  September 
28th  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 

President  Washington  addressed  Governor  St. 
Clair  October  6th  desiring  full  information  re- 
garding the  Wabash  and  Illinois  Aborigines,  and 
requesting  that  war  with  them  be  averted  if  pos- 
sible; but  authorizing  him  to  call  not  more  than 
one  thousand  militiamen  from  Virginia  and  five 
hundred  from  Pennsylvania,  if  necessary,  to  co- 
operate with  the  Federal  troops  in  the  Territory. 
The  Governor  was  also  directed  to  proceed  to  exe- 


From  1787-1790  49 

cute  the  orders  of  the  late  Congress  regarding 
French  and  other  land  titles  at  Vincennes 
and  in  the  Illinois  country,  and  other  matters  of 
organization. 

Somewhat  later,  in  the  autumn  of  1789,  Major 
Doughty 's  troops  built  Fort  Washington  within 
the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Cincinnati,  which 
fort  served  a  useful  purpose  for  several  years. 

Governor  St.  Clair  and  the  judges  started  by 
boat  from  Marietta  to  execute  President  Wash- 
ington's instructions  about  January  i,  1790,  and 
stopped  at  Fort  Washington  where  they  organized 
the  county  of  Hamilton,  and  changed  the  name 
of  the  settlement  about  Fort  Washington  from 
that  of  Losantiville  to  Cincinnati.  Proceeding 
down  the  Ohio  River,  they  arrived  at  Clarksville 
on  January  8th;  and  thence  passed  to  the  Illinois 
country  where  they  organized  St.  Clair  County, 
which  was  to  embrace  all  of  the  United  States' 
country  west  of  Hamilton  County. 

To  further  carry  out  the  President's  instructions, 
a  prominent  French  merchant  of  Vincennes,  An- 
toine  Gamelin,  who  well  understood  the  temper  of 
the  Savages,  and  by  whom  he  was  favorably 
known,  was  commissioned  by  Major  Hamtramck 
to  visit  and  conciliate  those  Aborigines  along  the 
Wabash  and  Maumee  rivers.  He  started  on  this 


$o  The  Ohio  Country 

mission  April  5,  1790;  and  his  report  evidenced  a 
desire  on  the  part  of  the  older  men  of  the  weaker 
tribes  for  peace;  but  they  could  not  stop  their 
young  men,  who  "were  constantly  being  encour- 
aged and  invited  to  war  by  the  British  " ;  and  they 
were  dominated  by  the  stronger  tribes,  who,  in 
turn,  were  dominated  by  the  British  from  whom 
they  received  their  supplies.  All  reproached  him 
for  coming  to  them  without  presents  of  intoxi- 
cants and  other  supplies.  On  April  23d,  Mr. 
Gamelin  arrived  at  the  Miami  towns, 'at  the  head 
of  the  Maumee  River,  where  the  Miamis,  Delawares, 
Pottawotamis,  and  Shawnees  united  in  telling 
him  they  could  not  give  reply  to  the  American 
overtures  for  peace  until  they  had  consulted  the 
British  commandant  of  the  fort  at  Detroit;  they 
desired,  and  were  given,  a  copy  of  the  message  to 
them  that  they  might  show  it  to  the  commandant 
at  Detroit.  The  British  traders  in  this  village 
were  present  at  the  meetings. 

Gamelin,  being  unable  to  get  any  satisfaction 
from  the  Savages,  started  on  his  return  from 
the  Miami  villages  May  2d;  and  on  the  nth 
reports  were  received  at  Vincennes  that, 
three  days  after  his  departure,  an  American 
captive  was  roasted  and  eaten  by  the  Savages 
at  the  head  of  the  Maumee  River;  and  that 


From  1787-1790  51 

the  tribes  were  sending  out  war  parties  in  addi- 
tion to  those  already  operating  along  the  Ohio 
River. 

With  hope  to  check  the  more  active  Savages, 
during  the  latter  half  of  April,  Brigadier-General 
Josiah  Harmar,  United  States  Agent,  with  one 
hundred  regular  troops,  seconded  by  General 
Charles  Scott,  with  two  hundred  and  thirty  Ken- 
tucky volunteers,  made  a  detour  of  the  Scioto 
River,  Ohio.  They  destroyed  the  food  supplies 
and  huts  of  the  hostile  Savages  but  shot  only  four 
of  them — reporting  that  "wolves  might  as  well 
have  been  pursued." 


CHAPTER  V 

FURTHER  CULMINATION  OF  THE   INEFFICIENT 
MANAGEMENT  OF  AFFAIRS 

Statement  of  the  Conditions  by  Jurist  from  Personal  Obser- 
vations —  Necessity  for  Relieving  the  Long-continued  and 
Severe  Sufferings  —  Kentucky  Territory  Organized  — 
Other  Civil  Organizations  —  General  Harmar's  Expedi- 
tion against  Hostile  Savages  at  Head  of  Maumee  River 
—  His  Army  Twice  Defeated  by  them  —  Their  Celebra- 
tion of  Victory  at  Detroit  with  their  British  Allies  — 
Panic  along  Frontier  —  The  Weak,  Inefficient  American 
Conduct  of  Affairs  Reviewed. 


in  July,  1790,  Judge  Henry  Inness  of 
Danville,  Kentucky,  wrote  to  the  Secretary 
of  War,  in  most  part  as  follows: 

"I  have  been  intimately  acquainted  with  this  dis- 
trict from  1783,  and  I  can  with  truth  say  that  in  this 
period  the  Indians  have  always  been  the  aggres- 
sors —  that  any  incursions  made  into  their  country 
have  been  produced  by  reiterated  injuries  committed 
by  them  —  that  the  predatory  mode  of  warfare  they 
have  carried  on  renders  it  difficult,  and  indeed  impos- 


From  1790-1794  53 

sible,  to  discriminate,  or  to  ascertain  to  what  tribe 
the  offenders  belong.  Since  my  first  visit  to  the  dis- 
trict in  November,  1783,  I  can  venture  to  say  that 
more  than  fifteen  hundred  persons  have  been  killed 
and  taken  prisoners  by  the  Indians;  and  upwards 
of  twenty  thousand  horses  have  been  taken  away,  with 
other  property  consisting  of  money,  merchandize, 
household  goods,  wearing  apparel,  etc.,  of  great  value. 
The  government  has  been  repeatedly  informed  of  those 
injuries,  and  that  they  continued  to  be  perpetrated 
daily,  notwithstanding  which  the  people  have  re- 
ceived no  satisfactory  information  whether  the  gov- 
ernment intended  to  afford  them  relief  or  not.  .  .  . 
I  will,  sir,  be  candid  on  this  subject,  not  only  as  an  in- 
habitant of  Kentucky  but  as  a  friend  to  society  who 
wishes  to  see  order  and  regularity  preserved  in  the 
government  under  which  he  lives.  The  people  say 
they  have  groaned  under  their  misfortunes — they  see 
no  prospect  of  relief — they  constitute  the  strength 
and  wealth  of  the  western  country,  and  yet  all  meas- 
ures heretofore  attempted  have  been  committed  for 
execution  to  the  hands  of  strangers  who  have  no  in- 
terest in  common  with  the  west.  They  are  the  great 
sufferers  and  yet  they  have  no  voice  in  the  matters 
which  so  vitally  affect  them.  They  are  even  accused 
of  being  the  aggressors,  and  have  no  representative 
to  state  or  to  justify  their  conduct.  These  are  the 
general  sentiments  of  the  western  people  who  are  be- 
ginning to  want  faith  in  the  government,  and  ap- 
pear determined  to  avenge  themselves.  For  this 
purpose  a  meeting  was  lately  held  in  this  place  by 
a  number  of  respectable  characters,  to  determine  on 
the  propriety  of  carrying  on  their  expeditions  this 
fall." 


54  The  Ohio  Country 

Kentucky  was  organized  as  a  Territory  this 
year  (1790). 

Early  in  June,  1790,  when  yet  at  Kaskaskia, 
Governor  St.  Clair  received  from  Major  Ham- 
tramck  a  report  of  the  failure  of  his  and  Gamelin's 
mission  to  the  hostile  Savages,  and  of  the  hope- 
lessness of  being  able  to  make  treaties  for  peace. 
Committing  the  resolutions  of  Congress  relative 
to  lands  and  settlers  along  the  Wabash  River  to 
Winthrop  Sargent,  Secretary,  who  then  proceeded 
to  organize  the  county  of  Knox,  St.  Clair  returned 
by  way  of  the  rivers  to  Fort  Washington,  where 
he  arrived  July  nth.  Here  General  Harmar  re- 
ported to  him  many  raids  and  murders  by  the 
Savages,  and 

"  it  was  agreed  and  determined  that  General  Harmar 
should  conduct  an  expedition  against  the  Maumee 
River  towns,  the  residence  of  all  the  renegade  In- 
dians, from  whence  issued  all  the  parties  who  infest 
our  frontiers.  The  Governor  remained  with  us  but 
three  days.  One  thousand  militia  were  ordered  from 
Kentucky  and  the  Governor  on  his  way  to  New  York 
the  seat  of  the  General  Government,  was  to  order  five 
hundred  from  the  back  counties  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  1 5th  September  was  the  time  appointed  for  the 
militia  to  assemble  at  Fort  Washington." 

Active  preparations  were  instituted  by  General 
Harmar  for  this  campaign,  the  object  of  which  was, 


From  1790-1794  55 

not  only  the  present  chastisement  of  the  Savages, 
but  the  building  of  one  or  more  forts  along  the 
Maumee  River,  and  the  establishing  of  a  connect- 
ing line  of  refuge  posts  for  supplies  from  which 
posts  sorties  could  be  made  to  intercept  hostiles. 
Governor  St.  Clair  sent  on  September  ipth 
from  Marietta,  "by  a  private  gentleman,"  a  letter 
to  Major  Patrick  Murray,  the  British  commandant 
at  Detroit,  reading  in  part  as  follows: 

"This  is  to  give  you  the  fullest  assurance  of  the  pa- 
cific disposition  entertained  towards  Great  Britain 
and  all  her  possessions  [sic] ;  and  to  inform  you  expli- 
citly that  the  expedition  about  to  be  undertaken  is  not 
intended  against  the  post  you  have  the  honor  to  com- 
mand. .  .  .  After  this  candid  explanation,  sir,  there 
is  every  reason  to  expect,  both  from  your  own  personal 
character,  and  from  the  regard  you  have  for  that  of 
our  nation  [sic],  that  those  tribes  will  meet  with  neither 
countenance  nor  assistance  from  any  under  your  com- 
mand, and  that  you  will  do  what  in  your  power  lies 
to  restrain  the  trading  people  from  whose  instigations 
there  is  too  good  reasons  to  believe  much  of  the  in- 
juries committed  by  the  savages  has  proceeded." 

The  army  gathered  for  the  expedition  marched 
northward  from  Fort  Washington  October  4,  1790, 
under  command  of  General  Josiah  Harmar,  Com- 
mander-in-Chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United 
States.  It  was  composed  of  fourteen  hundred 
and  fifty-three  soldiers,  viz.:  three  hundred  and 


56  The  Ohio  Country 

twenty  regulars,  including  one  artillery  company 
with  three  light  brass  cannon,  the  largest  a  six 
pounder,  in  two  battalions;  eleven  hundred  and 
thirty-three  militia  from  Kentucky  in  four  bat- 
talions, three  of  infantry  and  one  of  mounted  rifle- 
men; and  one  battalion  from  Pennsylvania. 
Most  of  these  men  were  wholly  unused  to  organ- 
ized warfare,  were  poorly  equipped,  and  were 
commanded  by  officers  inclined  to  be  rather 
discordant. 

Colonel  Hardin  arrived  with  his  command  at 
the  Miami  village,  at  the  head  of  the  Maumee 
River,  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Fort  Wayne, 
Indiana,  on  October  i6th,  and  took  possession 
without  opposition,  the  Savages  having  fled  into 
the  woods,  upon  being  notified  by  their  scouts  of 
the  approach  of  the  army.  The  women  and  chil- 
dren went  to  their  former  retreats,  and  the  war- 
riors watched  from  their  well  chosen  places  for 
ambush  attack.  Upon  the  arrival  of  his  part  of 
the  expedition,  General  Harmar  determined  to 
discover  the  place  of  the  enemy's  retreat,  and  to 
bring  them  to  battle.  The  army  was  divided  into 
detachments.  The  one  following  the  main  trail  of 
the  enemy  became  divided  inadvertently,  and  met 
with  a  severe  attack  from  ambush  which  entailed 
great  loss.  The  reports  of  the  militiamen  returning 


57 

promiscuously  called  forth  a  caustic  order  from 
General  Harmar,  reading  in  part  as  follows: 

"The  cause  of  the  detachment  being  worsted  yes- 
terday was  entirely  owing  to  the  shameful  cowardly 
conduct  of  the  militia  who  ran  away  and  threw  down 
their  arms  without  firing  scarcely  a  gun.  In  return- 
ing to  Fort  Washington  if  any  officer  or  man  shall 
presume  to  quit  the  ranks,  or  not  to  march  in  the  form 
that  they  are  ordered,  the  General  will  assuredly  order 
the  artillery  to  fire  on  them." 

The  remaining  part  of  the  army  started  on  its 
return  to  Fort  Washington,  after  destroying  all 
the  buildings  and  food  supplies  that  could  well  be 
found.  At  the  first  encampment,  seven  miles  from 
the  destroyed  Miami  villages,  Colonel  Hardin, 
desiring  to  retrieve  his  lost  prestige  by  dealing 
the  Savages  a  heavy  blow,  to  prevent,  at  least, 
their  following  and  harassing  the  returning  army, 
prevailed  upon  General  Harmar  to  give  him  a  de- 
tachment of  four  hundred  men  with  which  to  go 
back  in  the  night  to  the  site  of  the  towns  and  at- 
tack the  Savages  that,  doubtless,  had  returned 
there.  This  request  was  granted. 

Three  hundred  and  forty  militiamen  under 
Colonel  Hardin,  and  sixty  regular  troops  under 
Major  Wyllys,  started  in  time  to  arrive  at  the  river 
about  break  of  day,  October  226..  They  were  late 


58  The  Ohio  Country 

in  arriving.  The  enemy  had  returned  as  expected. 
The  plan  of  attack  was  carefully  outlined;  but 
some  failure  to  obey  orders,  and  unexpected  am- 
buscades by  the  Savages,  which  divided  the  com- 
mand, resulted  again  in  a  most  disastrous  defeat 
for  the  Americans.  As  in  the  first  defeat,  the 
regulars  lost  most  of  their  men,  including  Major 
Wyllys.  The  loss  among  the  Savages  was  thought 
to  be  about  as  large  as  that  of  the  Americans. 

General  Harmar  could  not  be  prevailed  upon 
by  Colonel  Hardin  to  return  to  the  river  with  all 
his  remaining  army.  His  reply  was: 

"We  are  now  scarcely  able  to  move  our  baggage; 
it  would  take  up  three  days  to  go,  and  return  to  this 
place;  we  have  no  more  forage  for  our  horses;  the 
Indians  have  got  a  very  good  scourging;  and  I  will  keep 
the  army  in  perfect  readiness  to  receive  them  if  they 
think  best  to  follow." 

The  American  loss  in  this  expedition  was  one 
hundred  and  eighty-three  killed,  and  thirty-one 
wounded.  General  Harmar,  annoyed  by  adverse 
criticism  of  his  conduct  of  the  expedition,  asked 
President  Washington,  March  28,  1791,  for  a 
board  of  officers  to  act  as  a  Court  of  Inquiry.  This 
request  was  granted  and,  after  considering  the 
evidence,  he  was  acquitted  of  any  fault. 

Nothing  was  said  about  his  failure  to  build  the 


From  1790-1794  59 

forts  that  had  been  thought  desirable.  Some  of 
the  officials,  however,  had  urged  objections  to  the 
suggested  forts  in  the  wilderness,  such  as  the  cost 
of  their  maintenance  with  garrisons  and  supplies, 
and  their  rather  limited  efficiency.  But  General 
Harmar's  command  was  prepared  for  such  work, 
and  was  not  prepared  for  aggressive  warfare,  as 
the  sequel  proved.  Had  he  built  a  strong  fort  at 
the  head  of  the  Maumee  River  immediately  upon 
his  arrival  there,  and  had  he  garnered,  instead  of 
burning,  the  products  of  the  fields,  and,  upon  his 
return,  left  a  chain  of  such  forts,  these  would  have 
been  rallying  points  where  the  soldiers  might  have 
kept  the  Savages  away  from  the  British  influences 
while  teaching  them  to  favor  those  who  were  the 
rightful  owners  of  their  hunting  grounds,  right- 
fully so  by  repeated  conquest  and  by  treaty  pur- 
chases from  different  tribes.  These  forts  would 
also  have  been  rallying  points  for  the  commis- 
sioners of  peace  to  these  Savages,  as  well  as  for 
those  Savages  who  would  gradually,  one  by  one, 
and  tribe  by  tribe,  have  been  won  over  to  lead 
peaceful  lives.  The  moral  and  physical  effects 
of  such  forts  were  later  demonstrated,  when  the 
authorities  in  the  East  came  to  the  realization 
that  they  were  a  necessity. 

General  Harmar  resigned  his  commission  the 


60  The  Ohio  Country 

following  January,  and  was  made  Adjutant-Gen- 
eral of  Pennsylvania  in  1793,  in  which  position 
he  rendered  good  service  in  furnishing  troops  for 
General  Wayne's  army  in  1794. 

The  Savages  were  greatly  elated  at  their  suc- 
cesses in  defeating  General  Harmar's  army.  Like 
the  ancient  Romans  who  returned  home  to  cele- 
brate their  great  victories  in  triumphal  processions, 
these  Savages  went,  to  Detroit,  the  headquarters 
of  their  masters  and  allies,  the  British,  where 
they  daily  paraded  the  streets  uttering  their  de- 
moniac scalp  yells,  while  bearing  long  poles  strung 
with  the  scalps  of  the  many  American  soldiers  they 
had  killed.  Additional  war  parties  of  Savages  were 
soon  started  for  the  American  frontier  settlements. 

The  British,  also,  were  elated  at  the  successes 
of  the  Savages,  exhibiting  their  pleasure  by  words 
condemnatory  of  the  American  policy,  and  by  in- 
citing the  Savages  to  further  atrocities. 

The  anxiety,  always  present  with  the  frontier 
settlers,  now  increased  to  a  panic.  The  officers, 
local  and  general,  whose  duty  it  was  to  guard  and 
protect  legitimate  settlers,  had  often  been  remiss 
in  their  duties;  they  were,  probably,  often  with- 
out the  necessary  power.  While  their  physical 
resources  were  deficient,  they  had  been  wanting, 
too,  perhaps,  in  a  broad  comprehension  of  the 


From  1790-1794  61 

requirements,  and  had  been  dilatory  in  obtaining 
the  means  that  would  have  begotten  from  the 
first  more  unity  of  effort  and  strength  of  resistance 
to  the  treacherous  Savages,  while  they  were  for- 
mulating broader  and  more  definite  plans  for  over- 
coming their  savagery  by  stopping  the  British  aid 
and  abetment  of  it.  Now  the  American  authori- 
ties became  even  more  disconcerted  than  before, 
and  their  efforts  to  protect  the  settlements  with 
soldiers  grew  even  more  spasmodic.  The  sending 
of  agents  to  placate  the  Savages  at  this  inoppor- 
tune time,  when  another  army  sufficient  in  size 
to  overcome  them  was  being  recruited  for  the 
building  of  forts  throughout  the  forests, — those 
forests  which  the  Savages  had  been  taught  by  the 
French  and  British  never  to  give  up  to  the  Amer- 
icans, and  in  their  determination  to  retain  which 
they  were  yet  being  sustained  by  the  British, — 
was  again  being  pointed  out  by  the  British  and 
Savages  as  an  evidence  of  American  insincerity 
and  duplicity.  Such  was  the  result  of  the  long- 
continued  pacific  policy  of  the  American  officials, 
if  any  policy  could  be  said  to  have  existed, 
toward  the  intriguing  British  first,  and  the  Savages 
afterwards!  Their  efforts  had  only  occasionally 
been  awakened,  with  mere  temporizing  effect  on  the 
enemies,  to  react  severely  upon  the  settlements ! 


CHAPTER  VI 

OVERWHELMING    SUCCESS   OF   THE   ENEMY 

More  Troops  Gathered  for  Defence — Messenger  Sent  to  the 
Senecas  for  Peace  Agents — British  Opposition — Expedi- 
tion against  Hostile  Savages  Successful — Army  Gathered 
for  Decisive  Blow  to  the  Marauding  Savages — Com- 
manded by  General,  and  Governor,  St.  Clair,  it  Meets 
Overwhelming  Defeat — Women  with  the  Army. 

HPHE  Legislature  of  Virginia,  December  20, 
*  1790,  authorized  Governor  Beverly  Ran- 
dolph to  provide  for  the  enlistment  of  several 
companies  of  rangers  before  the  ist  of  March 
for  the  protection  of  the  frontier;  and  Charles 
Scott  was  appointed  Brigadier-General  of  Ken- 
tucky militia. 

Early  in  January,  1791,  that  more  attention  and 
deference  should  be  given  to  the  West,  Congress 
appointed  General  Scott,  Henry  Inness,  John 
Brown,  Benjamin  Logan,  and  Isaac  Shelby  a 
Board  of  War  for  the  District  of  Kentucky,  with 
discretionary  powers. 

62 


From  1790-1792  63 

The  3d  of  March  Congress  also  made  provision 
for  another  regiment  of  Federal  troops,  and  for 
raising  two  thousand  militia  for  six  months'  ser- 
vice, as  a  further  protection  of  the  frontier;  and 
President  Washington  immediately  appointed 
Governor,  and  General,  Arthur  St.  Clair  Comman- 
der-in-Chief  of  this  Army  of  the  Northwest. 

Colonel  Thomas  Proctor  was  sent  March  12, 
1791,  to  the  Seneca  tribe  of  the  Six  Nations  of  New 
York  to  enlist  from  them  peace  agents  to  the 
western  tribes;  but  the  British  at  Niagara  would 
not  permit  a  boat  to  take  these  agents  across  Lake 
Erie  in  the  interest  of  the  United  States.  Also, 
by  the  endeavors  of  the  British,  and  Colonel 
Brant,  false  reports  were  circulated,  that  the 
United  States  was  endeavoring  to  involve  the 
Six  Nations  in  war  with  the  western  tribes. 

Further  evidence  of  this  continued  British  policy 
to  dominate  all  of  the  American  Aborigines  was 
given  in  the  communications  of  the  British  officers 
to  them,  and  in  the  Aborigines  deferring  to  their 
request  that  all  questions  of  moment  should  be 
referred  to  the  British. 

Radical  military  operations  against  the  Savages' 
retreats  appearing  necessary,  and  the  result  of 
Colonel  Proctor's  mission  for  the  intercession  of 
the  Six  Nations  for  peace  having  been  awaited  as 


64  The  Ohio  Country 

long  as  practicable,  General  Scott,  with  eight  hun- 
dred cavalry,  crossed  the  Ohio  River  on  May  23, 
1791,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kentucky  River,  and 
started  for  the  historic  Ouiotenon,  situated  by 
the  Wabash  River  near  the  present  city  of  Lafay- 
ette, Indiana.  Rain  fell  in  torrents  with  much  high 
wind,  but  the  troops  arrived  at  their  destination 
the  ist  of  June  after  an  estimated  march  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  miles  through  the  forest  with 
only  varying  trails  for  road.  The  last  of  the 
Savages  were  just  leaving  the  proximal  town 
when  General,  now  acting  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
James  Wilkinson  pressed  forward  with  the  First 
Battalion  and  "destroyed  all  the  Savages  with 
which  five  canoes  were  crowded." 

There  was  a  Kickapoo  town  on  the  north  bank 
of  the  river  from  which  a  brisk  firing  was  directed 
at  the  troops.  The  river  was  at  flood  and  soldiers 
were  sent  above  and  below  to  effect  a  crossing, 
which  was  done  by  swimming,  and  the  Savages 
were  dislodged.  Meantime  Colonel  Hardin's  com- 
mand had  discovered  a  stronger  village  on  the  left 
which  they  surprised,  killing  six  Savages  and  tak- 
ing fifty-two  prisoners.  The  next  evening  Colonel 
Wilkinson  started  with  three  hundred  and  sixty 
men  on  foot,  and  early  the  next  morning  they  as- 
sailed and  destroyed  the  important  town  of  Keth- 


From  1790-1792  65 

tipecanunk  at  the  mouth  of  Eel  River  eighteen 
miles  above  Ouiotenon,  returning  from  this  thirty- 
six  miles'  walk  and  work  in  twelve  hours.  All  the 
villages  and  supplies  that  could  be  found  were 
destroyed.  General  Scott  reported  that: 

"  Many  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  village  [Ouiotenon] 
were  French  and  lived  in  a  state  of  civilization.  By 
the  books,  letters,  and  other  documents  found  here 
it  is  evident  that  the  place  was  in  close  connection 
with  and  dependent  on  Detroit.  A  large  quantity  of 
corn,  a  variety  of  household  goods,  peltry,  and  other 
articles  were  burned  with  this  village  which  consisted 
of  about  seventy  houses,  many  of  them  well  finished."1 

On  June  4th,  General  Scott  set  free  sixteen  of 
his  prisoners  who  were  in  poor  condition  to  with- 
stand the  march,  giving  to  their  care  a  well- 
worded  letter,  addressed  to  all  the  tribes  along  the 
Wabash,  requesting  peace,  and  informing  where 
his  retained  prisoners  could  be  found. 

The  severe  rains  and  the  swollen  condition  of  the 
streams,  with  his  forced  marches  through  the  al- 
most trackless  forest,  had  disabled  his  horses  and, 
his  supplies  being  depleted,  he  reluctantly  directed 
the  march  southward  instead  of  toward  the  Mau- 
mee  River,  and  arrived  at  the  Rapids  of  the  Ohio 

1  See  American  State  Papers,  Indian   Affairs,  volume  i, 
page  129. 
5 


66  The  Ohio  Country 

June  1 4th.  He  reported  no  death  in  his  command 
and  only  five  wounded,  while  of  Savages  thirty- 
two  were  killed  and  fifty-eight  taken  prisoners,  of 
which  the  forty- two  not  liberated  were  given  to 
the  care  of  Captain  Asheton  of  the  First  United 
States  Regiment  at  Fort  Steuben.  No  French- 
men were  captured,  if  seen,  and  no  scalps  were 
taken. 

General  St.  Clair  recommended  another  expe- 
dition to  the  Eel  River  to  weaken  those  tribes 
which  would  ally  themselves  with  the  Miamis 
against  his  army  then  forming  for  the  purpose  of 
laying  waste  the  strongholds,  and  establishing 
a  series  of  forts  in  the  Maumee  country.  Accord- 
ingly Colonel  Wilkinson,  with  five  hundred  and 
twenty-five  cavalry,  started  from  the  vicinity  of 
Fort  Washington  to  the  northward,  "feinting 
boldly  at  the  Miami  Villages, "  and  then  turned 
northwestward  to  the  Wabash  near  the  mouth  of 
Eel  River.  The  evening  of  the  sixth  day  he  cap- 
tured the  Savages'  most  important  town  in  this 
vicinity,  known  by  the  French  name  L'Anguille — 
the  Eel.  This  expedition  then  ranged  along  the  Wa- 
bash River,  passed  through  the  site  of  Ouiotenon, 
thence  along  General  Scott's  route,  and  arrived  at 
the  Rapids  of  the  Ohio  August  2ist,  having  trav- 
elled four  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  destroyed  sev- 


From  1790-1792  67 

eral  villages  and  more  than  four  hundred  acres  of 
corn;  captured  thirty-four  or  more  Savage  pris- 
oners and  killed  ten  or  more  others.  One  Amer- 
ican prisoner  was  recovered.  Two  soldiers  were 
killed  and  one  wounded.  Colonel  Wilkinson  also 
left  behind  some  infirm  Aborigines,  unharmed,  to 
whom  he  gave  a  letter,  addressed  to  the  different 
tribes,  urging  them  to  accept  the  favorable  terms 
of  peace  still  offered  to  them.  This,  as  well  as  the 
former  letter,  was  taken  to  the  British,  who  gave 
their  own  desired  rendering  of  it  to  the  Aborigines ; 
and  the  warriors  were  incited  to  greater  efforts  in 
their  savage  work. 

General  Harmar  predicted  defeat  for  General 
St.  Glair's  army  which,  with  great  difficulties,  was 
being  gathered  to  operate  along  the  Maumee  River. 
This  army  was  not  ready  to  advance  until  Sep- 
tember 17,  1791.  Then,  about  twenty-three  hun- 
dred soldiers,  including  regulars,  moved  from  the 
vicinity  of  Fort  Washington  and  built  Fort  Ham- 
ilton on  the  west  bank  of  the  Miami  River  at  the 
site  of  the  present  city  of  Hamilton,  Ohio.  Again 
advancing  under  command  of  General  St.  Clair, 
they  began  to  build  Fort  Jefferson,  six  miles  south 
of  the  present  city  of  Greenville,  October  i2th. 
Twelve  days  later  the  march  again  began,  but  the 
progress  was  very  slow. 


68  The  Ohio  Country 

The  evening  of  the  3d  of  November  the  army 
encamped  by  the  Wabash  River  about  one  mile 
and  a  half  east  of  the  present  Ohio-Indiana 
State  line.  During  the  night  there  were  many 
Savages  near  the  pickets,  and  much  firing  of  the 
pickets'  guns.  About  ten  o'clock  that  night  Gen- 
eral Butler,  who  commanded  the  right  wing,  was 
requested  to  send  out  an  intelligent  officer  with  a 
detachment  of  soldiers  to  reconnoitre.  He  detailed 
Captain  Slough,  two  subalterns,  and  thirty  men  of 
the  line  for  this  purpose,  but  nothing  alarming 
was  discovered. 

Early  the  next  morning,  the  army,  then  num- 
bering about  fourteen  hundred  regular  and  militia 
soldiers,  and  eighty-six  officers,  was  furiously  as- 
sailed by  about  the  same  number  of  Savages,  and 
it  went  down  to  the  most  disastrous  defeat  ever 
suffered  by  such  large  numbers  from  such  foe. 
General  St.  Clair's  Adjutant,  Ebenezer  Denny, 
thus  describes  the  scenes: 

"The  troops  paraded  this  morning,  4  November, 
1791,  at  the  usual  time,  and  had  been  dismissed  from 
the  lines  but  a  few  minutes,  the  sun  not  yet  up,  when 
the  woods  in  front  rung  with  the  yells  and  [gun]  fire  of 
the  savages.  The  poor  militia,  who  were  but  three 
hundred  yards  in  front,  had  scarcely  time  to  return 
a  shot — they  fled  into  our  camp.  The  troops  were 
under  arms  in  an  instant,  and  a  smart  fire  from  the 


From  1790-1792  69 

front  line  met  the  enemy.  It  was  but  a  few  minutes, 
however,  until  the  men  were  engaged  in  every  quarter. 
The  enemy  from  the  front  filed  off  to  the  right  and 
left,  and  completely  surrounded  the  camp,  killed  and 
cut  off  nearly  all  the  guards,  and  approached  close 
to  the  lines.  They  advanced  from  one  tree,  log,  or 
stump  to  another,  under  cover  of  the  smoke  of  our 
fire.  Our  artillery  and  musketry  made  a  tremendous 
noise  huddled  together  as  they  were  but  did  little 
execution.  The  Aborigines  seemed  to  brave  every- 
thing, and  when  fairly  fixed  around  us  they  made  no 
noise  other  than  their  fire  [guns]  which  they  kept  up 
very  constant  and  which  seldom  failed  to  tell,  al- 
though scarcely  heard. 

"Our  left  flank,  probably  from  the  nature  of  the 
ground,  gave  way  first;  the  enemy  got  possession  of 
that  part  of  the  encampment  but,  it  being  pretty 
clear  ground,  they  were  too  much  exposed  and  were 
soon  repulsed.  I  was  at  this  time  with  the  General 
[St.  Clair]  engaged  toward  the  right;  he  was  on  foot 
and  led  the  party  himself  that  drove  the  enemy  and 
regained  our  ground  on  the  left.  The  battalions  in 
the  rear  charged  several  times  and  forced  the  Savages 
from  their  shelter,  but  they  always  turned  with  the 
battalions  and  fired  upon,  their  backs;  indeed  they 
seemed  not  to  fear  anything  we  could  do.  They  could 
skip  out  of  reach  of  the  bayonet  and  return,  as  they 
pleased.  They  were  visible  only  when  raised  by  a 
charge. 

"  The  ground  was  literally  covered  with  the  dead. 
The  wounded  were  taken  to  the  centre,  where  it  was 
thought  most  safe,  and  where  a  great  many  who  had 
quit  their  posts  unhurt  had  crowded  together.  The 
General,  with  other  officers,  endeavored  to  rally  these 


70  The  Ohio  Country 

men,  and  twice  they  were  taken  out  to  the  lines. 
It  appeared  that  the  officers  had  been  singled  out;  a 
very  great  proportion  fell,  or  were  wounded  and  were 
obliged  to  retire  from  the  lines  early  in  the  action. 
General  Butler  was  among  the  latter,  as  well  as  sev- 
eral other  of  the  most  experienced  officers.  The  men, 
being  thus  left  with  few  officers,  became  fearful, 
despaired  of  success,  gave  up  the  fight,  and  to  save 
themselves  for  the  moment,  abandoned  entirely  their 
duty  and  ground,  and  crowded  in  toward  the  centre  of 
the  field,  and  no  exertions  could  put  them  in  any  order 
even  for  defence ;  they  became  perfectly  ungovernable. 
The  enemy  at  length  got  possession  of  the  artillery, 
though  not  until  the  officers  were  all  killed  but  one 
and  he  badly  wounded,  and  the  men  [gunners]  almost 
all  cut  off,  and  not  until  the  pieces  were  spiked. 

"  As  our  lines  were  deserted  the  Aborigines  contracted 
theirs  until  their  shot  centred  from  all  points,  and 
now  meeting  with  little  opposition,  took  more  delib- 
erate aim  and  did  great  execution.  Exposed  to  a  cross 
fire,  men  and  officers  were  seen  falling  in  every  direc- 
tion ;  the  distress,  too,  of  the  wounded  made  the  scene 
such  as  can  scarcely  be  conceived — a  few  minutes 
longer,  and  a  retreat  would  have  been  impossible — 
the  only  hope  left  was,  that  perhaps  the  Savages 
would  be  so  taken  up  with  the  camp  as  not  to  follow. 
Delay  was  death;  no  preparation  could  be  made; 
numbers  of  brave  men  must  be  left  a  sacrifice,  there 
was  no  alternative.  It  was  past  nine  o'clock  when 
repeated  orders  were  given  to  charge  toward  the  road. 
The  action  had  continued  between  two  and  three 
hours.  Both  officers  and  men  seemed  confounded, 
incapable  of  doing  anything;  they  could  not  move 
until  it  was  told  that  a  retreat  was  intended.  A  few 


From  1790-1792  71 

officers  put  themselves  in  front,  the  men  followed, 
the  enemy  gave  way,  and  perhaps  not  being  aware 
of  the  design,  we  were  for  a  few  minutes  left  undis- 
turbed. The  stoutest  and  most  active  now  took  the 
lead,  and  those  who  were  foremost  in  breaking  the 
enemy's  line  were  soon  left  behind. 

"  At  the  moment  of  the  retreat  one  of  the  few  horses 
saved  had  been  procured  for  the  General ;  he  was  on 
foot  until  then;  I  kept  by  him,  and  he  delayed  to 
see  the  rear.  The  enemy  soon  discovered  the  move- 
ment and  pursued,  though  not  more  than  four  or 
five  miles,  and  but  few  so  far;  they  turned  to  share 
the  spoil.  Soon  after  the  firing  ceased  I  was  directed 
to  endeavor  to  gain  the  front  and,  if  possible,  to  cause 
a  short  halt  that  the  rear  might  get  up.  I  had  been 
on  horseback  from  the  first  alarm,  and  well  mounted ; 
and  now  pushed  forward,  but  met  with  so  many  diffi- 
culties and  interruptions  from  the  people  that  I  was 
two  hours  at  least  laboring  to  reach  the  front.  With 
the  assistance  of  two  or  three  officers  I  caused  a  short 
halt;  but  the  men  grew  impatient  and  would  move 
on.  I  got  Lieutenants  Sedam  and  Morgan,  with  half 
a  dozen  stout  men,  to  fill  up  the  road  and  to  move 
slowly;  I  halted  myself  until  the  General  came  up. 
By  this  time  the  remains  of  the  army  had  got  some- 
what compact,  but  in  the  most  miserable  and  defence- 
less state.  The  wounded  who  came  off  left  their  arms 
in  the  field,  and  one  half  of  the  others  threw  theirs  away 
on  the  retreat.  The  road  for  miles  was  covered  with 
firelocks  [flintlock  guns],  cartridge  boxes,  and  regi- 
mentals. How  fortunate  that  the  pursuit  was  dis- 
continued; a  single  Savage  might  have  followed 
with  safety  upon  either  flank.  Such  a  panic  had 
seized  the  men  that  I  believe  it  would  not  have 


72  The  Ohio  Country 

been  possible  to  have  brought  any  of  them  to  en- 
gage again. 

"In  the  afternoon  Lieutenant  Kersey  with  a  detach- 
ment of  the  First  Regiment  met  us.  This  regiment, 
the  only  complete  and  best  disciplined  portion  of  the 
army,  had  been  ordered  back  upon  the  road  on 
the  3ist  October.  They  were  thirty  miles  from  the 
battle  ground  when  they  heard  distinctly  the  firing 
of  the  cannon,  were  hastening  forward,  and  had 
marched  about  nine  miles  when  met  by  some  of  the 
militia  who  informed  Major  Hamtramck,  the  com- 
manding officer,  that  the  army  was  totally  destroyed. 
The  Major  judged  it  best  to  send  on  a  subaltern  to 
obtain  some  knowledge  of  things,  and  to  return  him- 
self with  the  regiment  to  Fort  Jefferson  eight  miles 
back,  and  to  secure  at  all  events  that  post.  He  had 
made  some  arrangements,  and  as  we  arrived  in  the 
evening,  found  him  preparing  again  to  meet  us.  Strag- 
glers continued  to  come  in  for  hours  after  we  reached 
the  fort. 

"  The  remnant  of  the  army,  with  the  First  Regiment, 
were  now  at  Fort  Jefferson,  twenty-nine  miles  from 
the  field  of  action,  without  provisions,  and  the  former 
without  having  eaten  anything  for  twenty-four  hours. 
A  convoy  was  known  to  be  upon  the  road,  and  within 
a  day's  march.  The  General  determined  to  move  with 
the  First  Regiment  and  all  the  levies  [militia]  able  to 
march.  Those  of  the  wounded  and  others  unable  to 
go  on  were  lodged  as  comfortably  as  possible  within 
the  fort.  Accordingly  we  set  out  a  little  after  ten 
and  continued  our  route  until  within  an  hour  of  day- 
light, then  halted  and  waited  for  day  and  until  the 
rear  came  up.  Moved  on  again  about  nine  o'clock; 
the  morning  of  the  $th  we  met  the  convoy;  stopped 


From  1790-1792  73 

a  sufficiency  to  subsist  us  to  Fort  Hamilton ;  sent  the 
remainder  on  to  Jefferson  under  an  additional  escort 
of  a  captain  and  sixty  men;  proceeded,  and  at  first 
water  halted,  partly  cooked  and  eat  for  the  first  time 
since  the  night  preceding  the  action.  At  one  o'clock 
moved  on,  and  continued  our  route  until  nine  at 
night  when  we  halted  and  made  fires  within  fifteen 
miles  of  Fort  Hamilton.  Marched  again  just  before 
day,  the  General  soon  after  rode  on  to  the  fort.  Troops 
reached  there  in  the  afternoon. 

"November  7,  1791.  Fort  Hamilton  command  was 
ordered  off  with  a  small  supply  for  the  wounded,  etc. 
About  twelve  same  day  continued  our  march,  and 
halted  before  night  within  fifteen  miles  of  Fort  Wash- 
ington, which  place  we  reached  the  afternoon  of  the 
eighth. 

"  The  prediction  of  defeat  by  General  Harmar  before 
the  army  set  out  on  the  campaign  was  founded  upon 
his  experience  and  particular  knowledge  of  things. 
He  saw  with  what  material  the  army  was  composed ; 
men  collected  from  the  streets  and  prisons  of  the  cities, 
hurried  out  into  the  enemy's  country,  and  with  the 
officers  commanding  them  totally  unacquainted  with 
the  business  in  which  they  were  engaged,  it  was  utterly 
impossible  they  could  be  otherwise  than  defeated. 
Besides,  not  any  one  department  was  sufficiently  pre- 
pared; both  quartermaster  and  the  contractors  ex- 
tremely deficient.  It  was  a  matter  of  astonishment  to 
him  [General  Harmar]  that  the  commanding  general 
[St.  Clair],  who  was  acknowledged  to  be  perfectly 
competent,  should  think  of  hazarding  with  such  peo- 
ple and  under  such  circumstances,  his  reputation  and 
life,  and  the  lives  of  so  many  others,  knowing  too,  as 
both  did,  the  enemy  with  whom  he  was  going  to  con- 


74  The  Ohio  Country 

tend ;  an  enemy  brought  up  from  infancy  to  war,  and 
perhaps  superior  to  an  equal  number  of  the  best  men 
that  could  be  taken  against  them.  It  is  a  truth,  I 
had  hopes  that  the  noise  and  show  which  the  army 
made  on  their  march  might  deter  the  enemy  from 
attempting  a  serious  and  general  attack.  It  was  un- 
fortunate that  both  the  general  officers  were,  and  had 
been,  disabled  by  sickness;  in  such  situation  it  is  pos- 
sible that  some  essential  matters  might  be  overlooked. 
The  Adjutant-General,  Colonel  Winthrop  Sargent, 
an  old  Revolutionary  officer,  was,  however,  constantly 
on  the  alert ;  he  took  upon  himself  the  burden  of  every- 
thing, and  a  very  serious  and  troublesome  task  he 
had.  But  one  most  important  object  was  wanting, 
can't  say  neglected,  but  more  might  have  been  done 
toward  obtaining  it ;  this  was  a  knowledge  of  the  col- 
lected force  and  situation  of  the  enemy;  of  this  we 
were  perfectly  ignorant.  Some  few  scouts  out,  but 
no  great  distance.  ..." 

In  this  overwhelming  defeat  General  St.  Glair's 
army  lost  five  hundred  and  ninety-three  privates 
killed  and  missing.  Thirty-nine  officers  were 
killed,  including  Major-General  Richard  Butler, 
one  lieutenant-colonel,  three  majors,  twelve  cap- 
tains, ten  lieutenants,  eight  ensigns,  two  quarter- 
masters, one  adjutant,  and  Surgeon  Grasson. 
Thirty-one  officers  and  two  hundred  and  fifty-two 
privates  were  wounded.  The  artillery  and  all 
supplies,  including  clothing,  two  hundred  tents, 
three  hundred  horses,  one  hundred  and  thirty 


From  1790-1792  75 

beef  cattle,  and  food  in  the  wagons,  with  muskets 
and  other  equipment  thrown  away  by  many 
stricken  soldiers,  all  valued  at  $32,810.75,  were 
left  to  be  gathered  by  the  highly  elated  Savages, 
who  took  to  their  lodges  by  the  Maumee,  Auglaize, 
and  other  rivers  all  they  could  transport. 

On  account  of  necessary  delays,  the  cold  weather, 
and  bad  roads,  it  required  six  weeks  for  St.  Glair's 
aide,  Lieutenant  Denny,  to  convey  on  horseback 
the  news  of  this  crushing  defeat  to  the  office  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  General  Knox,  in  Philadelphia. 

President  Washington  was  greatly  distressed  by 
the  news.  General  St.  Clair  requested  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  Court  of  Inquiry  regarding  the  defeat. 
This  was  done  by  the  War  Department,  and  the 
Court  exonerated  him.  He  resigned  his  com- 
mission March  5,  1792.  He  was,  however,  further 
retained  as  Governor  of  the  Territory,  which 
many  prominent  men  in  the  Territory  thought 
another  great  mistake. 

The  principal  causes  of  the  failure  of  the  expe- 
dition, as  recorded  in  the  Secretary  of  War's  office, 
are:  "ist.  The  deficient  number  of  good  troops, 
according  to  the  expectation  in  the  early  part  of 
the  year.  2d.  Their  want  of  sufficient  discipline, 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  service.  3rd.  The 
lateness  of  the  season." 


76  The  Ohio  Country 

The  wet  and  cold  weather,  with  thin  ice  and 
snow,  certainly  added  much  to  the  inefficiency  of 
the  volunteers  who  were  unused  to  such  cam- 
paigning, and  added  greatly  to  their  sufferings  in 
defeat.  Certainly  the  illness  of  General  St.  Clair 
should  not  be  urged  as  an  excuse  for  the  laxity  in 
fortifying  and  reconnoitering  by  his  subordinates. 

There  were  other  unwise  features  of  this  expe- 
dition associated  with  undisciplined  soldiers  and 
incompetent  officers.  The  wives  and  women  of 
many  soldiers  were  with  the  army.  They  were 
favored  as  much  as  practicable,  but  many  of 
them  were  killed  by  the  Savages.1 

General  Wilkinson  visited  this  field  of  slaughter 
about  the  last  of  January,  1792,  with  one  hundred 
and  fifty-two  volunteer  cavalrymen,  some  of 
whom  were  frost-bitten  on  the  way  from  Fort 
Jefferson.  From  the  distance  of  about  four  miles 
from  the  site  of  the  encampment  they  found  scat- 
tered along  the  way  the  remains  of  Americans  who 
had  been  pursued  and  killed,  or  who  had  died  of 
their  wounds  while  endeavoring  to  escape.  The 
field  of  action  was  thickly  strewn  with  remnants 

1  Caleb  Atwater  writes  in  his  History  of  the  State  of  Ohio, 
1838,  that  there  were  with  this  army  at  the  commencement  of 
the  attack  of  the  Savages  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  women, 
of  whom  fifty-six  were  killed.  But  few  escaped  death  or 
captivity. 


From  1790-1792  77 

of  human  bodies  showing  horrible  mutilations  by 
the  Savages.  Sand  and  clay  were  found  packed 
into  the  eyes  and  throats,  done  probably  while 
the  wounded  were  alive;  limbs  were  found  sepa- 
rated from  bodies;  and  stakes  the  size  of  arms 
were  found  driven  through  the  bodies  of  women. 
The  flesh  had  been  stripped  from  many  bones,  but 
the  relative  part  done  by  the  savage  cannibals 
and  the  wolves  could  not  be  determined.  The 
latter  were  yet  at  work. 

As  many  of  these  remains  as  possible  on  account 
of  the  snow  and  cold  weather  were  gathered  and 
buried  in  shallow  trenches  dug  with  difficulty  in 
the  frozen  ground  by  the  benumbed  soldiers. 
Three  whole  cannon  carriages  were  found  and  re- 
moved to  Fort  Jefferson;  the  other  five  were  in 
damaged  condition.  All  the  cannon  were  missing.  * 

1  General  Wayne's  army  gathered  and  buried  all  bones 
that  could  be  found  on  and  around  this  field  Christmas  week, 
1 793,  previous  to  the  building  of  Fort  Recovery.  Six  hundred 
skulls  were  counted. — American  Pioneer,  1842,  volume  i, 
page  294. 


CHAPTER  VII 

FURTHER   NEFARIOUS   WORK   CULMINATING 

Great  Efforts  of  British  Allies — Distress  of  Frontier  Settle- 
ments— British  Fear  Loss  of  Fur  Trade — Advance  of 
Civil  Jurisdiction — General  Wayne  Chosen  to  Lead 
Another  Army  against  the  Hostiles — Further  Treaties 
with  the  Aborigines — Secret  Efforts  to  Learn  Status  of 
the  British — Largest  Council  of  Savages  for  British  Con- 
federation— Kentucky  Admitted  as  a  State — Forts 
Built  by  Americans — Commissioners  Appointed  to  At- 
tend the  Great  Council — Their  Object  Defeated  by  the 
British — Specific  Charges  of  Fraud  and  Force  by  British 
Presented  to  the  British  Minister. 

THE  British  and  their  savage  allies  did  not  want 
the  peace  that  the  Americans  would  have  ac- 
cepted previous  to  the  defeat  of  General  Harmar's 
army ;  much  less  would  they  comply  with  the  pro- 
clamation of  Governor  St.  Clair,  or  respond  favor- 
ably to  various  other  peace  overtures  made  to  them 
after  this  disaster.  They  rallied  all  the  available 
warriors  of  the  different  tribes  nearby — the  Mia- 
mis  under  Chief  Little  Turtle,  the  Delawares  under 

78 


From  1792-1793  79 

Buckongehelas,  the  Shawnees  under  Blue  Jacket, 
the  Ottawas,  Wyandots,  Pottawotamis,  Kicka- 
poos,  and  bands  of  lesser  significance — against  the 
coming  of  General  St.  Clair ;  and  the  easy  destruc- 
tion of  this,  the  second  large  army,  commanded 
by  the  Governor — to  them,  the  great  American 
chieftain, — was  to  them  the  cause  of  extreme  joy. 
This,  their  second  great  success,  with  the  largely 
increased  number  of  scalps  and  other  rich  spoils 
gathered  from  their  victims,  was  looked  upon  as 
full  license  for  a  continuance  of  their  raids  on  the 
settlements,  and  as  an  omen  of  their  ultimate 
success,  on  the  plan  of  Pontiac  in  1763,  in  driving 
the  Americans  from  the  western  country. 

The  American  frontier  settlements,  with,  if 
possible,  increased  apprehension,  sent  more  urgent 
petitions  to  the  authorities  for  protection.  Some 
of  these  petitions  represented  that  not  less  than 
fifteen  hundred  Kentuckians — men,  women,  and 
children — had  been  slain  or  carried  into  captivity 
by  the  Savages  within  seven  years;  that  the  fron- 
tier settlements  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  had 
suffered  nearly  as  much;  and  that  the  prospect 
was  now  more  gloomy  than  before,  as  the  enemy 
was,  if  possible,  more  aggressive  and  savage. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  allies  of  the  Savages, 
the  British,  were  becoming  more  apprehensive 


8o  The  Ohio  Country 

regarding  their  fur  trade  on  account  of  the  deple- 
tion of  their  allies,  the  Savages,  by  American  armies. 
The  defeat  of  two  armies  was  sure  to  be  followed 
by  another  army,  stronger  and  more  destructive. 
The  Montreal  merchants  whose  lucrative  trade 
with  the  American  Savages  had  lessened  during 
the  more  active  hostilities,  on  December  9,  1791, 
petitioned  Colonel  John  Graves  Simcoe,  Lieuten- 
ant-Govemor  of  Upper  Canada,  for  protection; 
and  suggested  closer  union  with  the  Savages,  and 
a  continued  retention  of  the  American  forts  yet 
occupied  by  the  British. 

Secretary  of  War  Henry  Knox,  "in  obedience 
to  the  command  "  of  President  Washington,  made, 
on  the  2  6th  of  December,  an  interesting  state- 
ment relative  to  the  frontiers  northwest  of  the 
Ohio  River,  which  includes  the  following  para- 
graph, viz: 

"Hence  it  would  appear  that  the  principles  of  jus- 
tice as  well  as  policy  and,  it  may  be  added,  the  prin- 
ciples of  economy,  all  combine  to  dictate  that  an 
adequate  military  force  should  be  raised  as  soon  as 
possible,  placed  upon  the  frontiers,  and  disciplined  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  service,  in  order  to  meet 
with  the  prospect  of  success  against  the  greatest 
probable  combination  of  the  enemy." 

Messages  and  overtures  for  peace  were  again 


From  1792-1793  81 

sent  to  the  various  tribes  of  Aborigines,  includ- 
ing the  Six  Nations;  and  preparations  for  the 
proposed  army  were  also  entered  upon. 

To  advance  the  civil  jurisdiction  as  much  as 
possible,  Hamilton  County  was,  February  n, 
1792,  extended  by  Governor  St.  Clair,  who  yet 
retained  his  civil  office,  eastward  to  the  Scioto 
River,  and  northward  to  the  territorial  limits  in 
Lake  Erie. 

President  Washington  having  been  greatly  dis- 
appointed in  the  result  of  the  expedition  of  General 
St.  Clair,  who  was  a  former  member  of  his  military 
staff,  made  the  selection  of  the  commander  for  the 
proposed  campaign  with  great  circumspection. 
Generals  Anthony  Wayne,  Henry  Lee,  Daniel 
Morgan,  Andrew  Pickens,  Rufus  Putnam,  Charles 
Scott,  James  Wilkinson,  and  Alexander  McGilli- 
vray  were  those  of  most  prominence  from  whom 
to  choose ;  and  Anthony  Wayne  was  selected  early 
in  1792.  The  result  showed  the  wisdom  of  the 
choice,  notwithstanding  the  statement  of  General 
Lee  that  this  appointment  "caused  extreme  dis- 
gust among  all  orders  in  the  Old  Dominion." 

Soon  after  this  appointment,  General  Wayne 
issued  a  proclamation  to  acquaint  the  anxious 
frontiersmen  with  the  efforts  in  progress  to  secure 
peace  by  treaty,  and  to  request  all  persons  to 


82  The  Ohio  Country 

avoid  all  action  that  would  further  anger  the  Abo- 
rigines. The  governors  of  Virginia  and  Pennsyl- 
vania issued  similar  proclamations. 

Major  John  F.  Hamtramck  effected,  at  Vin- 
cennes  in  March,  1792,  treaties  with  small  bands 
of  the  Wabash  and  Eel  River  tribes,  and  he  also 
sent  peace  messages  to  those  of  the  Maumee  River. 
About  fifty  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  visited  Phil- 
adelphia by  invitation,  and  accepted  the  over- 
tures for  peace. 

On  April  7th,  General  Wilkinson  sent  two  mes- 
sengers, Freeman  and  Girard,  with  peace  messages 
to  the  Miamis  of  the  Maumee  River;  and,  on  the 
2oth  of  May,  Colonel  John  Hardin  and  Major 
Alexander  Truman  started  northward  on  like  mis- 
sions— but  not  one  of  the  four  returned  to  tell  of 
the  savage  treatment,  and  death,  they  suffered. 

General  Putnam  on  the  27th  of  September  suc- 
ceeded in  closing  terms  of  peace  with  thirty-one 
Aborigines  of  the  Wabash  and  Illinois  tribes  at 
Vincennes.  Each  of  the  parties  to  these  peace  ne- 
gotiations carried  copies  of  the  treaties  of  1784,  '85, 
'86,  '89,  and  many  expressions  and  assurances  by 
the  Americans  to  turn  the  Savages  from  their  work 
of  carnage.  But  all  availed  nothing  with  the 
strong  tribes  who  claimed  to  be  directly  under 
influence  and  command  of  the  British,  and  the 


From  1792-1793  83 

murderous  raids  by  the  Savages  continued 
unabated. 

Of  the  secret  efforts  to  learn  more  of  detail  re- 
garding the  relations  between  the  Savages  and 
the  British,  to  be  the  better  able  therefrom  to 
appease  the  former,  but  one  succeeded,  on  account 
of  the  great  vigilance  of  both  parties  to  the  alli- 
ance. William  May  was  started  from  Fort  Ham- 
ilton May  13,  1792,  to  follow  on  the  trail  of  Major 
Truman.  He  was  captured  by  Savages,  as  ex- 
pected, and  after  escaping  many  dangers  was 
taken  along  the  Maumee  River,  and  sold  to  Mat- 
thew Elliott,  then  British  Assistant  Agent  to  the 
Aborigines,  from  whose  service  he  finally  escaped 
and  gave  sworn  testimony  before  General  Wayne 
at  Pittsburg,  October  n,  1792.  This  evidence 
detailed  different  items  of  interest,  among  which 
are  the  following: 

There  were  gathered  in  the  summer  of  1792  by 
the  Maumee  River  at  the  mouth  of  the  Auglaize, 
then  the  headquarters  of  several  tribes,  three  thou- 
sand and  six  hundred  warriors  of  many  tribes, 
and  more  were  arriving  at  the  time  of  May's  so- 
journ there,  all  of  whom  received  daily  rations 
from  the  British  authorities  at  Detroit. 

This  was  the  largest  council  of  Aborigines  on 
record,  and  it  appeared  to  the  British  as  the 


&4  The  Ohio  Country 

culmination  of  their  hopes,  and  long-continued 
endeavors,  for  the  confederation  of  all  the  Ameri- 
can tribes  regardless  of  American  interests. 

The  Seneca  Chief  Cornplanter  and  forty-eight 
other  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  of  New  York  were, 
in  the  interests  of  peace,  representing  the  Ameri- 
cans at  this  council;  and  Chief  Cornplanter  re- 
ported to  General  Wayne  that :  ..."  we  cannot 
tell  the  names  of  the  nations  present.  There  were 
present  three  men  from  the  Gora1  nations;  it  took 
them  a  whole  season  to  come;  and  twenty-seven 
nations  [tribes]  from  beyond  Canada.  The  whole 
of  them  know  that  we,  the  Six  Nations,  have  Gen- 
eral Washington  by  the  hand."  This  reference 
to  General  Washington  was  relative  to  their  recent 
visit  to  Philadelphia,  and  the  peace  treaty  there 
effected.  Other  tribes  were  expected  at  this  grand 
council  at  the  mouth  of  the  Auglaize  River,  and 
they  came  later,  from  the  extreme  South  and  West. 
A  like  council  was  called  for  the  next  year,  and, 
later,  runners  were  sent  with  invitations  to  the 
most  distant  tribes  in  all  directions,  including  the 

»  Gora,  or  Gorah,  was  one  of  the  names  formerly  given  by 
the  Six  Nations  (Iroquois)  of  New  York  to  Sir  William  John- 
son and  to  Colonel  Guy  Johnson;  and  these  Gora  Aborigines 
were  probably  of  the  Iroquois  of  Canada  who  were  at  this 
time  under  the  control  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  British  Superin- 
tendent of  Indian  Affairs. 


From  1792-1793  85 

Creeks  and  Cherokees  of  the  South,  urging  their 
attendance. 

William  May,  as  he  had  been  a  sailor,  was  kept 
by  his  purchaser  three  months  in  the  transporta- 
tion service,  on  board  a  schooner  carrying  a  load 
of  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  barrels  between 
Detroit  and  the  foot  of  the  Maumee  Rapids,  many 
miles  within  United  States  territory,  where  was 
situated  the  great  supply  house  of  the  British 
Aborigine  Agent  Alexander  McKee,  from  whom 
the  Savages  received  their  food,  supplies  of  fire- 
arms, ammunition,  scalping  knives,  tomahawks, 
etc.,  with  which  to  raid  and  murder  Americans 
wherever  possible. 

Kentucky  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a 
State  June  i,  1792,  thus  giving  her  the  represen- 
tation she  richly  deserved. 

A  number  of  small  forts  were  built  by  the  Ameri- 
cans along  the  frontier  as  bases  for  supplies  and 
places  of  refuge  for  the  remaining  settlers. 

In  addition  to  the  attacks  on  individuals  and 
families  along  the  borders,  a  company  of  mounted 
Kentucky  riflemen  under  Major  John  Adair,  on 
November  6,  1792,  near  Post  St.  Clair,  about 
twenty-five  miles  north  of  Fort  Hamilton,  Ohio, 
was  suddenly  attacked  by  a  party  of  Savages 
who  exhibited  "a  degree  of  courage  that  bespoke 


86  The  Ohio  Country 

them  warriors  indeed"  reads  the  report  of  the 
Major.  Six  Americans  were  killed,  five  wounded, 
and  four  missing.  The  Savages  also  killed  a  num- 
ber of  pack-horses  and  captured  others.  Their 
loss  was  thought  to  be  about  the  same  as  that  of 
the  Kentuckians. 

At  this  time,  the  army  being  formed  by  General 
Wayne  was  encamped  twenty-two  miles  below 
Pittsburg,  both  to  protect  the  Virginia  frontier, 
and  to  give  opportunity  for  drilling  and  disciplin- 
ing the  men. 

For  the  purpose  of  continuing  the  efforts  to  se- 
cure peace  with  the  Savages  by  further  treaty, 
President  Washington,  March  2,  1793,  aP~ 
pointed  General  Benjamin  Lincoln  of  Massachu- 
setts, Beverly  Randolph  of  Virginia,  and  Timothy 
Pickering  of  Pennsylvania,  Commissioners,  to 
attend  the  great  council  to  be  held  in  Amer- 
ican territory  at  the  foot  of  the  lowest  Rapids 
of  the  Maumee,  or  at  Sandusky,  the  ist  of 
June. 

On  May  lyth,  Messrs.  Randolph  and  Pickering 
arrived  at  Fort  Niagara,  and  there  received  a  note 
from  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Colonel  John 
Graves  Simcoe  inviting  them  to  become  guests 
at  his  home,  Navy  Hall,  nearly  a  mile  from  the 
fort;  and  there  being  no  other  suitable  place  for 


From  1792-1793  87 

them  to  stop,  the  invitation  was  accepted.  Gen- 
eral Lincoln  arrived  May  25th. 

Meantime  a  letter  was  received  from  Colonel 
McKee,  British  Indian  Agent  at  Detroit,  stating 
that  the  tribal  councils  by  the  Maumee  would 
probably  not  end  before  the  latter  part  of  June 
and  that  the  Commissioners  had  best  remain  at 
Niagara  until  he  notified  them  that  the  Aborigines 
were  ready  to  receive  them. 

Colonel  John  Butler,  a  leader  in  the  Wyoming 
Massacre  in  July,  1778,  now  a  British  Superin- 
tendent of  Aborigine  Affairs,  and  Captain  Joseph 
Brant  of  like  notoriety,  with  a  picked  company  of 
fifty  Savages,  arrived  at  Niagara,  July  5th.  They 
came  from  the  large  collection  of  tribes  then  at 
the  British  distributing  house  at  the  foot  of  the 
Maumee  Rapids,  and  requested  an  explanation 
of  the  "unfair  and  unwarrantable"  warlike  pre- 
parations of  General  Wayne;  and  they  desired  to 
know  the  authority  for  the  trespassing  of  the 
Americans  north  of  the  Ohio  River,  all  of  which 
they  claimed  as  territory  belonging  to  the  Abo- 
rigines. The  Commissioners  in  reply  cited  in  ex- 
planation the  several  treaties  of  previous  years, 
and  the  subsequent  maraudings  of  the  Savages, 
and  expressed  desire  for  peace ;  and  an  agreement 
was  made  to  meet  in  full  council  at  Sandusky. 


88  The  Ohio  Country 

The  Commissioners  were  permitted  to  leave 
Niagara  July  loth  and,  awaiting  a  favorable  wind, 
the  British  sloop  on  which  they  were  passengers 
sailed  from  Fort  Erie,  opposite  the  present  city  of 
Buffalo,  on  the  i4th,  and  arrived  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Detroit  River  or  Strait  the  2ist.  They  were 
received,  and  entertained  during  their  enforced 
stay  there  of  nearly  four  weeks,  by  Captain  Mat- 
thew Elliott,  British  Assistant  Agent  for  and  to 
the  Aborigines.  So  had  they  been  with  Simcoe, 
and  yet  were,  in  fact,  prisoners  of  the  British. 
They  continued  frequently  to  urge  an  early  meet- 
ing of  the  council  according  to  agreement,  without 
satisfactory  reply. 

On  July  29th,  a  deputation  of  over  twenty  Abo- 
rigines, with  the  notorious  Simon  Girty  as  inter- 
preter, arrived  at  Captain  Elliott's  house  from  the 
grand  council  that  had  been  for  weeks  assembled 
at  the  foot  of  the  Maumee  Rapids.  After  a  brief 
preliminary,  they  presented  to  the  Commissioners  a 
short  written  communication,  ostensibly  from  the 
council,  the  principal  sentence  of  which  was  that, 
' '  If  you  seriously  design  to  make  a  firm  and  lasting 
peace,  you  will  immediately  remove  all  your  peo- 
ple from  our  side  of  that  river"  (the  Ohio).  The 
Commissioners  delivered  to  them  in  writing  a  long 
and  carefully  prepared  reply  in  which  the  treaties 


From  1792-1793  89 

of  1768,  '84,  '85,  '86,  and  '89  were  referred  to  in 
justification  of  the  advance  of  Americans  into 
the  territory  north  of  the  Ohio  River,  and  with 
reasons  why  it  was  impossible  at  this  late  date  to 
make  this  river  the  boundary;  stating  that  the 
United  States  government  was  willing  to  make 
liberal  concessions  to  the  Aborigines,  as  the  treaty 
with  Great  Britain  declared  the  middle  of  the 
Great  Lakes  and  the  waters  which  unite  them  to 
be  the  boundary  of  the  United  States;  and  they 
closed  the  reply  expressing  the  desire  to  meet  the 
general  council  in  treaty  soon. 

On  the  8th  and  pth  of  August,  the  Commission- 
ers received  verbal  and  chance  reports  that  all 
the  tribes  represented  at  the  Maumee  council  were 
for  peace,  with  the  exception  of  the  Shawnees, 
Wyandots,  Miamis,  and  Delawares,  and  that  these 
were  yielding;  that  many  were  tired  of  the  long 
delays  and  were  departing  for  their  respective 
villages.  The  Commissioners  again  expressed 
strong  desire  to  go  directly  to  the  Maumee  council, 
which  meeting  was  well  within  American  territory; 
but  such  action  the  British  would  not  permit.  On 
August  1 4th  the  American  Commissioners  wrote 
to  the  chiefs  at  the  council,  again  urging  a  meeting 
for  a  treaty.  They  also  wrote  to  Colonel  McKee 
at  that  place,  stating  that  his  aid  for  such  result 


90  The  Ohio  Country 

would  be  gratefully  acknowledged.  On  the  i6th, 
a  long  and  carefully  written  reply  was  received  at 
Captain  Elliott's  house  by  the  Commissioners, 
which  closed  with  the  assertion  that,  if  they  would 
not  agree  to  the  Ohio  River  being  the  boundary, 
"a  meeting  would  be  altogether  unnecessary." 
Appended  to  this  paper  were  written  the  following 
names  of  ' '  Nations  "  represented,  viz. :  Wyandots, 
Seven  Nations  of  Canada,  Delawares,  Shawnees, 
Miamis,  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  Senecas  of  the 
Glaise  [Auglaize  River],  Pottawotamis,  Connoys, 
Munsees,  Nantakokias,  Mohicans,  Messasagoes, 
Creeks,  Cherokees. 

This  communication,  like  the  others,  was  under- 
stood to  be  fully  conceived  and  written  by  the 
British  authorities;  and  it  was  certainly  approved 
by  their  censors.  This  general  council,  as  well  as 
the  one  the  year  before  by  the  Maumee  River  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Auglaize,  was  the  result  of  British 
efforts  for  many  years  to  federate  all  the  Savages, 
as  Simcoe  stated  that  their  dictated  decision  in 
council,  and  united  action  in  war,  might  become 
irresistible  to  the  Americans.  Joseph  Brant, 
leader  in  the  Six  Nations  and  generally  a  stanch 
friend  of  the  British,  declared  that  such  united 
action :  "caused  the  defeat  of  two  American  armies 
[Harmar's  and  St.  Clair's].  .  .  But  to  our  sur- 


From  1792-1793  91 

prise,  when  upon  the  point  of  entering  upon  a 
treaty  with  the  [American]  Commissioners,  we 
found  that  it  was  opposed  by  those  acting  under 
the  British  Government." 

In  reply  to  the  ex-parte  council's  last  communi- 
cation, the  Commissioners  regretfully  sent  to  the 
chiefs  and  to  the  British  Colonel  McKee  the  state- 
ment that  their  efforts  for  negotiations  were  at  an 
end;  including  with  the  letters  copies  of  the  for- 
mer treaties. 

On  August  23d  the  Commissioners,  on  their 
return,  arrived  by  British  boat  opposite  Fort  Erie, 
where  they  dispatched,  by  different  runners,  a 
letter  to  General  Wayne,  and  another  to  General 
Knox,  Secretary  of  War,  announcing  their  failure 
to  secure  terms  of  peace. 

A  portrayal  of  grievances  and  claims  against 
Great  Britain  was  formally  presented  this  year 
(1793),  by  the  United  States  authorities  to  the 
British  Minister,  Hammond,  and  request  for  re- 
dress. The  main  points  of  this  document  are 
abstracted  as  follows: 

"The  continued  unjustifiable  occupancy  by  the  Brit- 
ish of  military  posts  within  United  States  territory. 

"The  officers  of  these  posts  exercising  jurisdiction 
over  the  country  and  inhabitants  around  these  posts. 

"The  exclusion  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  from 


92  The  Ohio  Country 

navigating  the  waters  inside  the  United  States  line 
named  in  the  Treaty  of  Paris. 

"The  intercepting  of  commerce  with  the  Aborigines; 
which  commerce  should  have  been  of  great  profit  to 
the  United  States  and  her  citizens  not  only  on  account 
of  its  intrinsic  worth,  but  also  because  of  its  value  as 
a  means  of  insuring  peace  with  the  Aborigines,  and 
of  superseding  the  necessity  for  expensive  warfare 
with  them. 

"Also,  that  upon  the  withdrawal  of  the  British 
troops  from  New  York  after  the  Treaty  of  Paris,  in 
violation  of  this  Treaty  a  large  embarkation  of  Ne- 
groes, property  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States, 
had  taken  place  before  the  Commissioners  for  inspect- 
ing and  superintending  embarkations  on  the  part 
of  the  United  States  had  arrived  there ;  and  that  the 
British  had  not  rendered  any  account  thereof. 

"That  nearly  three  thousand  other  Negroes  were 
publicly  carried  away  by  the  avowed  order  of  the 
British  commanding  officer,  and  under  the  view  and 
against  the  remonstrances  of  the  Commissioners. 

"That  a  very  great  number  of  Negroes  were  also 
carried  away  in  private  vessels,  if  not  by  the  ex- 
press permission  of,  yet  certainly  without  opposition 
on  the  part  of,  the  commanding  officer  who  alone 
had  the  means  of  preventing  it,  and  without  admit- 
ting the  inspection  of  the  American  Commissioners. 

"That,  of  other  species  of  property  carried  away, 
the  commanding  officer  permitted  no  examination." 

In  support  of  these  charges,  specific  documents  of 
proof  were  attached.  Other  questions  of  serious 
nature  also  accompanied  these  charges  of  viola- 


From  1792-1793  93 

tion  of  the  Treaty  of  Paris,  and  of  great  defraud- 
ings  of  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

After  the  lapse  of  some  months,  Minister  Ham- 
mond presented  to  Secretary  Jefferson  a  series  of 
charges  that  British  creditors  had  been  delayed  in 
obtaining  payment  of  their  accounts;  of  alleged 
"unjust  prosecutions,  confiscations,  and  denials 
of  justice  in  which  British  merchants  and  other  of 
his  Majesty's  subjects  [Tories]  had  suffered  irrep- 
arable injury." 

To  these  charges,  Secretary  Jefferson  soon 
returned  what  the  British  called  "a  bulky  and  in- 
genious document"  written  in  his  direct  and  force- 
ful style  which  quite  filled  them  with  dismay.  It 
showed  the  British  as  by  far  the  first,  and  greatest, 
transgressors,  and  that  they  should  make  redress. 
Hammond  sent  the  document  to  the  British  Home 
Office,  and  there  it  rested.  A  year  later  Jefferson 
inquired  regarding  the  matter,  and  received  an 
indifferent  answer.  Another  inquiry,  after  a  lapse 
of  several  months,  was  met  in  a  rather  disdainful 
way.  Hammond  professed  to  get  a  little  sympathy 
from  Alexander  Hamilton,  then  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury.  It  does  not  appear  why  a  committee 
was  not  chosen  to  arbitrate  the  matter.  It  is  evi- 
dent that  the  British  were  satisfied  with  the  ad- 
vantages they  possessed;  and  that  most  of  the 


94  The  Ohio  Country 

Americans  in  authority  were  inclined  to  let  the 
questions  rest  as  they  were,  rather  than  to  bring 
about  another  war  with  Great  Britain. 

The  animus  of  the  British  at  this  time  is  des- 
cribed in  the  following  excerpt  from  the  late  writ- 
ings of  one  of  their  loyal  subjects,  viz.: 

"The  negotiations  between  England  and  the  United 
States  were  destined  to  stand  still  until  the  former 
should  be  able  to  judge,  from  the  progress  of  events, 
the  safest  course  to  pursue.  Not  only  the  unsettled 
state  of  the  government  in  America,  but  the  notorious 
jealousy  and  the  hardly  concealed  animosity  of  sev- 
eral European  nations,  manifested  in  their  attitude 
toward  England,  made  it  her  business  to  look  strictly 
and  cautiously  after  her  own  interests." 


CHAPTER  VIII 

RETRIBUTIVE    JUSTICE   MARCHES    ON   AGAINST 
GREAT  OPPOSITION 

Advance  of  General  Wayne's  Army — Opposed  by  the  Enemy 
— Builds  Forts  Greenville  and  Recovery — Cause  of  Brit- 
ish Aggressiveness  yet  More  Apparent — Other  Enemies 
of  the  United  States — Separation  of  the  Ohio  Country 
from  the  United  States  again  Suggested — British  Build 
Two  Additional  Forts  within  United  States  Territory — 
Protests  of  the  United  States  of  no  Avail — British  and 
their  Savage  Allies  Attack  Fort  Recovery  and  Are  Re- 
pulsed— Further  Account  of  Great  Britain's  Guiding 
Hand. 

^ENERAL  WAYNE  believed  that  further 
^-^  delay  would  be  an  undue  exposure  of  the 
frontier  to  savage  incursions  and,  October  5, 
1793,  he  reported  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  from 
near  Fort  Washington,  that  his  available  army 
remained  small  from  Kentucky  disappointments, 
from  fevers  among  his  enlisted  men,  and  from 
"the  influenza  [later  called  in  America  by  the 
French  name  La  Grippe]  which  has  pervaded  the 

95 


96  The  Ohio  Country 

whole  line  in  a  most  alarming  and  rapid  degree. 
.  .  .  This  is  not  a  pleasant  picture,  but  something 
must  be  done  immediately  to  save  the  frontiers 
from  impending  savage  fury.  I  will  therefore 
advance  to-morrow  with  the  force  I  have  in  order 
to  gain  a  strong  position  about  six  miles  in  front 
[north]  of  Fort  Jefferson,  so  as  to  keep  the  enemy 
in  check." 

On  October  23d,  Wayne  reported  from  this 
"strong  position,"  which  he  named  Fort  Green- 
ville in  honor  of  his  friend  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  that: 

"We  have  recently  experienced  a  little  check  to 
one  of  our  convoys  which  may  probably  be  exag- 
gerated into  something  serious  by  the  tongue  of  fame 
before  this  reaches  you;  the  following  is,  however, 
the  fact,  viz. :  Lieutenant  Lowry  of  the  2d  sub-legion 
and  Ensign  Boyd  of  the  ist  with  a  command  consisting 
of  ninety  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates, 
having  in  charge  twenty  wagons  belonging  to  the 
quartermaster  general's  department  loaded  with 
grain  and  one  of  the  contractor's  loaded  with  stores, 
were  attacked  early  in  the  morning  of  the  i7th  in- 
stant about  seven  miles  advanced  of  Fort  St.  Clair 
by  a  party  of  Aborigines;  those  two  gallant  young 
gentlemen  (who  promised  at  a  future  day  to  be  orna- 
ments to  their  profession) ,  together  with  thirteen  non- 
commissioned officers  and  privates,  bravely  fell  after 
an  obstinate  resistance  against  superior  numbers,  be- 
ing abandoned  by  the  greater  part  of  the  escort  upon 


From  1793-1794  97 

the  first  discharge.  The  Savages  killed  or  carried  off 
about  seventy  horses,  leaving  the  wagons  and  stores 
standing  in  the  road,  which  have  all  been  brought  to 
this  camp  without  any  other  loss  or  damage  except 
some  trifling  articles.  ...  It  is  reported  that  the 
Aborigines  at  Au  Glaize  [present  Defiance,  Ohio]  have 
sent  their  women  and  children  into  some  secret  recess 
or  recesses  from  their  towns;  and  that  the  whole  of 
the  warriors  are  collected  or  collecting  in  force.  .  .  . 
A  great  number  of  men  as  well  as  officers  have  been 
left  sick  and  debilitated  at  the  respective  garrisons, 
from  a  malady  called  the  influenza;  among  others 
General  Wilkinson  has  been  dangerously  ill ;  he  is  now 
at  Fort  Jefferson  and  on  the  recovery.  .  .  . 

"  The  safety  of  the  Western  frontiers,  the  reputation 
of  the  legion,  the  dignity  and  interest  of  the  nation, 
all  forbid  a  retrograde  manoeuvre,  or  giving  up  one 
inch  of  ground  we  now  possess,  until  the  enemy  are 
compelled  to  sue  for  peace." 

Wayne's  encampment  at  Greenville  was  forti- 
fied, and  part  of  his  army  passed  the  winter  there. 
Major  Henry  Burbeck,  on  December  23d,  with 
eight  companies  of  infantry  and  artillery,  was  or- 
dered to  proceed  to  the  place  of  General  St.  Glair's 
defeat,  and  there  erect  a  fortification.  This  stock- 
ade enclosure  with  blockhouses  was  given  the 
name  Fort  Recovery;  and  on  the  same  site  its 
name  is  perpetuated  as  that  of  a  thriving  village 
in  Mercer  County,  Ohio. 

Observing  this  steady  advance,  with  fortifica- 


98  The  Ohio  Country 

tions,  toward  their  principal  retreats,  some  of  the 
Aborigines  made  a  movement  for  peace;  and  pos- 
sibly a  treaty  of  peace  could  have  been  effected 
with  many  of  them,  but  for  the  ever  ready  adverse 
influence  of  the  British.  Their  desires  and  con- 
tinued efforts  were  "to  unite  the  American  Indi- 
ans" for  their  own  better  control  of  them;  which 
policy  Lieutenant-Governor  Simcoe  expressed  at 
Niagara  to  the  American  Peace  Commissioners  as 
"the  principle  of  the  British  government."  And 
these  efforts  were  also  continued  with  the  Creeks, 
Cherokees,  and  other  tribes  along  the  American 
frontiers  south  of  the  Ohio  River,  thus  putting 
the  United  States  to  great  expense  in  men  and 
money  for  protection  there,  both  before  and  after 
this  date. 

These  were  troublous  years  to  Americans 
generally,  particularly  to  those  resident  west 
of  the  Allegheny  Mountains.  These  were  beset 
on  all  sides,  by  the  British  and  Savages,  and  also 
by  the  machinations  of  the  French  and  Spanish, 
both  to  involve  them  in  complications  with  Great 
Britain,  and  to  again  incite  the  inhabitants  of  the 
trans-Allegheny  region  to  a  separation  from  the 
East. 

During  these  years  before  railroads,  in  addition 
to  the  remissness  of  sympathy  and  protection  by 


From  1793-1794  $g 

Congress,  the  natural  outlet  for  the  products  of  the 
Ohio  Basin  down  the  Mississippi  River  had  much 
to  do  with  the  disaffection  of  the  settlers  from  the 
East.  The  statesmen  of  the  East  were  largely  re- 
sponsible for  the  beginning  of  this  disaffection  of 
the  western  settlers,  from  the  want  of  sympathy 
in  their  sufferings,  and  the  expressions  and  actions 
that  this  region  was  too  far  distant  to  be  governed 
by  the  Atlantic  States ;  also  from  the  opinions  that 
the  East  could  not  profit  by  their  trade. 

Nor  were  the  States  in  full  accord  between  them- 
selves. Also  the  fear  of  another  war  with  Great 
Britain  was  manifest  in  other  ways  than  the  dread 
of  offending  this  nation  by  active  measures  to  dis- 
possess it  of  the  vantage  possessed  in  the  forts  on 
American  soil  and  in  the  alliance  with  the  Aborig- 
ines. About  this  time  Th.  Dwight  wrote  to  Wol- 
cott  that:  "A  war  with  Great  Britain,  we,  at 
least  in  New  England,  will  not  enter  into.  Sooner 
would  ninety-nine  out  of  every  hundred  of  our 
inhabitants  separate  from  the  Union  than  plunge 
themselves  into  an  abyss  of  misery." 

The  Spanish,  French,  and  British  emissaries 
took  advantage  of  every  complication,  and  cir- 
culated their  schemes  among  the  settlers  from 
Detroit  to  Kentucky  and  the  Illinois  country. 
General  Wayne  well  styled  this  complexity  an 


ioo  The  Ohio  Country 

hydra.  At  this  conjuncture,  however,  the  gov- 
ernmental authorities  became  vigilant,  with  good 
success  in  several  particulars.1 

The  Aborigine  chiefs  kept  in  close  communica- 
tion with  the  British  officials,  not  only  with  agents 
Elliott  and  McKee,  but  with  Detroit  and  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor  Simcoe  of  Niagara;  and  they 
even  visited  Governor-General  Lord  Dorchester. 
In  an  address  of  welcome  to  the  chiefs  February 
10,  1794,  Lord  Dorchester  spoke  in  part  as  follows: 

"Children,  since  my  return  I  find  no  appearance  of 
a  line  [boundary]  remains;  and  from  the  manner  in 
which  the  people  of  the  United  States  push  on  and 
act  [evidently  referring  to  the  Aborigine  treaties,  and 
the  advance  of  General  Wayne's  army]  and  talk  .  .  . 
I  shall  not  be  surprised  if  we  are  at  war  with  them 
in  the  course  of  the  present  year;  and  if  so  a  line 
must  be  drawn  by  the  warriors.  .  .  .  We  have  acted 
in  the  most  peaceable  manner  [sic],  and  borne  the  lan- 
guage and  conduct  of  the  people  of  the  United  States 
with  patience;  but  I  believe  our  patience  is  almost 
exhausted." 

«  See  President  Washington's  proclamation  of  neutrality; 
Secretary  Jefferson's  remonstrance  regarding  the  overtures  of 
the  Spanish  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  Kentuckians ;  and  against 
the  incitings  of  the  French  Minister,  Edmond  Genest  (often 
written  Gen6t)  to  beget  sympathy  for  the  French  revolution- 
ists against  the  British  and  Spanish.  Also  the  American  order 
to  reoccupy  Fort  Massac  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Ohio 
eight  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee  River,  to  inter- 
cept all  illegal  transit. 


From  1793-1794  I01 

This  mention  of  impending  war  was,  evidently, 
no  meaningless  talk.  Lieutenant-Governor  Sim- 
coe  was  immediately  sent  to  Detroit,  he  being 
there  February  i8th;  and  a  letter  from  Detroit 
dated  April  lyth,  reads  in  part  that: 


"We  have  lately  had  a  visit  from  Governor  Simcoe; 
he  came  from  Niagara  through  the  woods.  .  .  .  He 
has  gone  to  the  foot  of  the  [Maumee]  Rapids,  and 
three  companies  of  Colonel  [Richard]  England's  regi- 
ment have  followed  him  to  assist  in  building  a  fort 
there." 

This  fort,  Fort  Miami,  was  a  veritable  strong- 
hold. It  was  built  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Maumee 
River  (the  "Miami  of  Lake  Erie"),  near  the  lower 
limits  of  the  present  village  of  Maumee,  Lucas 
County,  Ohio,  which  site  was  then,  as  now,  a 
great  advance  into  United  States  territory.  Super- 
intendent McKee's  British  Agency  and  supply 
house  was  about  one  mile-and-a-half  above  this 
fort,  and  near  the  lowest  rapids  of  the  Maumee  —  • 
an  encroachment  of  nearly  forty  miles  upon  the 
American  soil. 

The  British  also  built  another  fort  twelve  to  fif- 
teen 'miles  within  American  territory,  situated  on 
Turtle  Island,  just  outside  of  Maumee  Bay,  twenty 
miles  or  more  northeast  from  their  Fort  Miami. 
The  reinforcements  of  Wayne's  command  by  Ken- 


102  The  Ohio  Country 

tucky  troops,  and  all  the  movements  of  the  army, 
were  regularly  reported  at  this  Fort  Miami  and  at 
Fort  Lernoult,  Detroit;  and,  at  the  advance  of 
General  Wayne,  Fort  Miami  was  strengthened 
and  further  garrisoned,  and  Major  William  Camp- 
bell of  the  British  Army  was  sent  to  replace 
Captain  Caldwell,  its  first  commandant. 

President  Washington,  through  Edmund  Ran- 
dolph, Secretary  of  State,  complained  to  the 
British  Government  of  Lord  Dorchester's  address 
to  the  Savages,  which  had  been  widely  circulated 
among  them  and  the  Americans;  and  he  also 
protested  against  the  building  of  Fort  Miami  on 
American  territory.  The  replies  showed  that  the 
London  Government  instigated  the  aggressions, 
and  offered  no  relief. 

General  Wayne  reported  on  July  7,  1794,  from 
his  headquarters  at  Fort  Greenville,  that: 

"At  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  3oth 
ultimo  one  of  our  escorts,  consisting  of  ninety  riflemen 
and  fifty  dragoons  commanded  by  Major  McMahon, 
was  attacked  by  numerous  body  of  Aborigines  under 
the  walls  of  Fort  Recovery,  followed  by  a  general 
assault  upon  that  post  and  garrison  [of  about  two 
hundred  men]  in  every  direction.  The  enemy  were 
soon  repulsed  with  great  slaughter,  but  they  im- 
mediately rallied  and  reiterated  the  attack,  keeping 
up  a  very  heavy  and  constant  fire  at  a  more  respect- 


From  1793-1794  103 

able  distance  for  the  remainder  of  the  day,  which 
was  answered  with  spirit  and  effect  by  the  garrison 
and  a  part  of  Major  McMahon's  command  that  had 
regained  the  post.  The  Savages  were  employed 
during  the  night  [which  was  foggy  and  dark]  in  carry- 
ing off  their  dead  by  torch  light  which  occasionally 
drew  a  fire  from  the  garrison.  They,  nevertheless, 
succeeded  so  well  that  there  were  but  eight  or  ten 
bodies  left  upon  the  field,  and  those  close  under  the 
range  of  the  guns  of  the  fort. 

"  The  enemy  again  renewed  the  attack  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  ist  instant,  but  were  ultimately  compelled 
to  retreat  with  loss  and  disgrace  from  that  very  field 
where  they  had  upon  a  former  occasion  been  proudly 
victorious." 


It  was  apparent  that  "there  were  a  considerable 
number  of  the  British  and  the  militia  of  Detroit 
mixed  with  the  Savages  in  the  assault,"  and  they 
expected  to  find  the  cannon  lost  by  General  St. 
Clair;  but  these  had  been  found  by  the  Ameri- 
cans who  used  them  against  the  assailants.  The 
American  loss  in  the  Battle  of  Fort  Recovery  was 
twenty-two  killed,  thirty  wounded,  and  three  miss- 
ing. Of  the  horses,  fifty-nine  were  killed,  twenty- 
two  wounded,  and  two  hundred  and  twenty-one 
were  missing ;  but  the  General  reported  that  their 
loss  would  not  in  the  least  retard  the  advance  of 
the  legion  after  the  arrival  of  the  expected 
mounted  volunteers  from  Kentucky. 


104  The  Ohio  Country 

The  British  had  again  been  having  communi- 
cation with  the  Spanish  of  the  Mississippi,  who 
promised  to  help  them  against  the  Americans. 

McKee  continued  supplying  the  Savages  with 
the  best  of  firearms  (rifles)  and  other  articles  of 
war.  Such  were  used  in  the  attack  on  Fort  Re- 
covery. A  party  of  Delawares  and  Shawnees  after- 
ward showed  six  American  scalps  before  McKee 
and  addressed  him  in  part  as  follows: 

"We  had  two  actions  with  Wayne's  troops  in 
which  a  great  many  of  our  enemies  were  killed. 
Part  of  their  flesh  we  have  brought  here  with  us  to 
convince  our  friend  of  the  truth  of  their  being  now 
in  great  force  on  their  march  against  us;  therefore, 
Father,  we  desire  you  to  be  strong  and  bid  your  chil- 
dren make  haste  to  our  assistance  as  was  promised." 

In  further  confirmation  of  the  aggressive  action 
of  the  British,  and  of  their  apprehension  that  the 
Americans  would  retaliate  to  their  harm,  the  fol- 
lowing letters  from  Colonel  Alexander  McKee, 
British  Agent  to  the  Aborigines,  written  to  Colonel 
Richard  England,  Commandant  at  Detroit,  are 
given,  they  being  endorsed,  "On  His  Majesty's 
Service,"  viz.: 

"  [Poor  OP  THE  MAUMEE]  RAPIDS, 

"Julys.  I794- 

"SiR:  I  send  this  by  a  party  of  Saganas  [Saginaw 
Aborigines]  who  returned  yesterday  from  Fort 


From  1793-1794  105 

Recovery  where  the  whole  body  of  Indians,  except 
the  Delawares  who  had  gone  another  route,  impru- 
dently attacked  the  fort  on  Monday  the  3oth  of  last 
month,  and  lost  16  or  17  men  besides  a  good  many 
wounded. 

"  Everything  had  been  settled  prior  to  their  leaving 
the  fallen  timber  [about  four  miles  above  foot  of  the 
rapids]  and  it  had  been  agreed  upon  to  confine  them- 
selves to  taking  convoys  and  attacking  at  a  distance 
from  the  forts,  if  they  should  have  the  address  to 
entice  the  enemy  [Americans]  out ;  but  the  impetuos- 
ity of  the  Mackinac  Indians  and  their  eagerness  to 
begin  the  nearest,  prevailed  with  the  others  to  alter 
their  system,  the  consequences  of  which  from  the 
present  appearance  of  things  may  most  materially 
injure  the  interests  of  these  people.  Both  the  Mackinac 
and  Lake  Indians  seemed  resolved  on  going  home 
again,  having  completed  the  belts  they  carried  with 
scalps  and  prisoners,  and  having  no  provisions  there 
at  the  Glaize  [the  present  Defiance,  Ohio]  to  subsist 
upon,  so  that  his  Majesty's  posts  will  derive  no  se- 
curity from  the  late  great  influx  of  Indians  into 
this  part  of  the  country,  should  they  persist  in  their 
resolution  of  returning  so  soon. 

"The  immediate  object  of  the  attack  was  three 
hundred  packhorses  going  from  this  fort  [Recovery] 
to  Fort  Greenville,  in  which  the  Indians  completely 
succeeded,  taking  and  killing  all  of  them.  But  the 
commanding  officer,  Captain  Gibson,  sending  out  a 
troop  of  cavalry,  and  bringing  his  infantry  out  in 
front  of  his  post,  the  Indians  attacked  him  and 
killed  about  fifty,  among  whom  is  Captain  Gibson 
and  two  other  officers.  On  the  near  approach  of 
the  Indians  to  the  fort,  the  remains  of  his  garrison 


io6  The  Ohio  Country 

retired  into  it,  and  from  their  loopholes  killed  and 
wounded    as    already    mentioned.     Captain    Elliott 
writes  that  they  are  immediately  to  hold  a  council  at 
the  Glaize  [Auglaize  or  Grand  Glaise,  as  above]  in 
order  to  try  if  they  can  prevail  upon  the  Lake  In- 
dians to  remain;  but  without  provisions,  ammunition, 
&c.,  being  sent  to  that  place,  I  conceive  it  will  be 
extremely  difficult  to  keep  them  together. 
"  With  great  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
"Your  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

"A.  McKEE." 

Great  efforts  were  again  made  by  the  British, 
not  only  to  keep  together  the  Savages  already  near 
"their  posts,"  but  to  have  those  "who  had  gone 
another  route"  return  to  them.  Another  letter 
from  McKee  to  Colonel  England  reads  as  follows : 

" RAPIDS,  August  13,  1794. 

"SIR:  I  was  honored  last  night  with  your  letter 
of  the  nth,  and  was  extremely  glad  to  find  you  are 
making  such  exertions  to  supply  the  Indians  with 
provisions. 

"Captain  Elliott  arrived  yesterday;  what  he  has 
brought  will  greatly  relieve  us,  having  been  obliged 
yesterday  to  take  all  the  corn  and  flour  which  the 
traders  had  here. 

"  A  scouting  party  from  the  Americans  carried  off 
a  man  and  a  woman  yesterday  morning  between  this 
place  and  Roche  de  Bout,  and  afterwards  attacked 
a  small  party  of  Delawares  in  their  camp;  but 
they  were  repulsed  with  the  loss  of  a  man,  whom 
they  either  hid  or  threw  into  the  river.  They  killed 


From  1793-1794  107 

a  Delaware  woman.  Scouts  are  sent  up  to  view  the 
situation  of  the  army;  and  we  now  muster  1000 
Indians.  All  the  Lake  Indians  from  Sagina  down- 
wards should  not  lose  one  moment  in  joining 
their  brethren,  as  every  accession  of  strength  is  an 
addition  to  their  spirits.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

"A.  McKEE." 

The  testimony  of  Savages  of  different  tribes, 
taken  by  General  Wayne,  and  others,  yet  further 
confirms  the  influence  of  the  British  in  promoting, 
and  fomenting,  the  war,  even  after  most  of  the 
tribes  desired  peace  with  the  Americans. 


CHAPTER  IX 

WAYNE'S  ARMY  DEFEATS  A  HYDRA  OP 
CONSPIRACIES 

Further  Advance  of  Wayne's  Army — A  Most  Momentous 
Campaign — Builds  Forts  Adams  and  Defiance — The 
Enemy  Flees — Wayne's  Last  Overture  for  Peace — The 
Army  Nears  the  Enemy  —  Builds  Fort  Deposit,  and 
Advances  to  Complete  Victory — Buildings  and  Crops  of 
British  and  their  Allies  Destroyed — Wayne's  Emphatic 
Letters  to  the  Commandant  of  Fort  Miami — The  Cas- 
ualties— Army  Returns  and  Strengthens  Fort  Defiance — 
The  Red  Savages — British  Strengthen  their  Forts  in 
United  States  Territory. 

MAJOR-GENERAL  CHARLES  SCOTT,  with 
*•  *  *•  about  sixteen  hundred  volunteer  cavalry- 
men from  Kentucky,  who  had  been  sent  home 
for  the  winter,  rejoined  General  Wayne's  army, 
then  numbering  possibly  two  thousand  soldiers, 
at  Fort  Greenville  July  26,  1794;  and  the  next 
day  General  Wayne  ordered  the  general  advance 
movement  for  the  28th. 

This  was  to  be  a  most  momentous  campaign. 
1 08 


1794  I09 

If  this,  the  third  army  against  these  "allied  "  foes, 
be  defeated,  the  country  west  and  southwest  of 
the  Allegheny  Mountains  would,  evidently,  thence- 
forth be  completely  dominated  by  the  British, 
and  completely  lost  to  the  Americans,  unless  a 
general  war  was  declared  with  Great  Britain. 

The  army  took  up  its  march  on  the  morning 
named  in  General  Order,  and  soon  evidences  of 
the  enemies'  scouts  became  apparent.  It  was 
necessary  to  make  a  road  through  the  great  for- 
est, composed  of  great  trees  of  oak,  beech,  maple, 
etc.,  which  were  larger  and  more  numerous  as  the 
army  advanced.  The  deep  Beaver  Swamp  had  to 
be  bridged  with  " infinite"  labor.  At  the  crossing 
of  the  River  St.  Mary,  a  stop  of  two  days  was  made 
for  the  purpose  of  building  a  fort,  which  was 
named  Fort  Adams.  Here  General  Wayne  was 
caught  under  a  falling  tree  while  urging  more 
haste  upon  the  choppers  of  logs  for  blockhouses 
and  palisades.  This  accident  "nearly  put  an  end 
to  his  existence"  but  his  indomitable  will  power 
forced  him,  and  his  army,  forward  without  delay, 
and  against  all  obstacles. 

On  August  8,  1794,  the  army  arrived  at  its 
"Camp  Grand  Oglaize "  (junction  of  the  Auglaize 
River  with  the  Maumee,  site  of  the  present  city  of 
Defiance,  Ohio)  at  half-past  ten  o'clock  in  the 


no  The  Ohio  Country 

morning.  Here  Wayne  and  his  army  were  de- 
lighted with  the  beauty  and  fertility  of  the  region. 
His  diarist  wrote  that: 

"This  place  far  excels  in  beauty  any  in  the  western 
country,  and  believed  equalled  by  none  in  the  Atlantic 
States.  Here  are  vegetables  of  every  kind  in  abun- 
dance ;  and  we  have  marched  four  or  five  miles  in  corn 
fields  down  the  Oglaize  [Auglaize],  and  there  are  not 
less  than  one  thousand  acres  of  corn  round  the  town. " 

This  being  the  point  of  confluence  of  three  rivers, 
the  Auglaize  and  Bean  (later  named  the  Tiffin) 
with  the  Maumee,  it  was  naturally  a  great  gather- 
ing place  for  the  Aborigines;  and  but  the  evening 
before  the  arrival  of  the  army  a  large  number  of 
them  fled  down  the  Maumee,  and  their  straggling 
huts  were  found  abandoned.  This  fact  General 
Wayne  attributed  to  their  being  informed  regard- 
ing the  details  of  his  army  by  a  deserter  from  his 
ranks  a  few  days  before;  and  the  General  consid- 
ered it  a  favorable  circumstance.  He  had  feinted 
toward  the  Miami  villages  at  the  head  of  the  Mau- 
mee, and  then  as  he  thought  toward  Roche  de  Bout, 
then  followed  down  the  left  bank  of  the  Auglaize 
River  "in  a  central  direction";  and  he  congratu- 
lated himself,  as  well  as  the  Secretary  of  War, 
that  he  had  "gained  possession  of  the  grand  em- 
porium of  the  hostile  Aborigines  of  the  West 


1794 

without  loss  of  blood."  Hereabout,  as  well  as 
elsewhere  along  the  rivers,  the  British  had  en- 
couraged the  women  of  the  Savages  to  cultivate 
corn  and  vegetables  to  relieve  as  much  as  possible 
the  demands  of  the  Savages  on  the  British  food 
supplies. 

The  army  remained  at  the  mouth  of  the  Au- 
glaize  River  about  one  week.  During  this  time 
there  was  here  built,  with  Wayne's  characteristic 
energy,  a  strong  fort  which  he  named  Fort  Defi- 
ance, a  place  where  he  could  defy  the  red  Savages 
and  their  British  allies. 

He  not  only  planned  and  superintended  the 
building  of  this  fort,  but  from  the  first  day  of  his 
arrival  he  continued  his  efforts  to  win  over  the 
Savages  to  peace  with  the  United  States,  sending 
to  them  by  "special  flag"  a  well  prepared  letter 
which  he  styled  his  last  overture  for  peace.  He 
told  the  warriors  addressed  that  he  held  the  sev- 
eral Aborigines,  who  had  been  captured  by  his 
scouts,  as  hostages  for  the  safe  return  of  his  "spe- 
cial flag."  The  bearer  of  this  was  Christopher 
Miller,  who  had  lived  with  the  Aborigines  several 
years,  and  had  been  captured  from  them  six 
months  before  being  chosen  to  bear  this  flag. 

General  Wayne  felt  confident  of  success  in  the 
event  of  a  conflict  with  the  enemy.  The  day  be- 


ii2  The  Ohio  Country 

fore  starting  from  Fort  Defiance  to  meet  whoever 
opposed  him,  he  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  War 
reporting  the  situation  of  the  enemies,  and  added : 
"Should  war  be  their  choice,  that  blood  be  upon 
their  own  heads.  America  shall  no  longer  be  in- 
sulted with  impunity.  To  an  all  powerful  and 
just  God  I  therefore  commit  myself  and  gallant 
army." 

On  August  1 5th,  leaving  a  garrison  of  about  one 
hundred  soldiers  to  guard,  and  to  continue  work 
on,  Fort  Defiance,  as  had  also  been  done  at  the 
other  forts,  the  army  marched  about  forty-four 
miles  down  the  left  bank  of  the  Maumee  River 
toward  the  Fallen  Timber,  a  place  chosen  by  the 
enemies  to  make  their  stand  against  the  oncoming 
Americans. 

On  the  1 8th,  Wayne  and  his  army  arrived  op- 
posite Roche  de  Bout,  a  narrow  mass  of  sectile 
limestone  that  had  been  left  in  the  river  in  wear- 
ing its  channel,  and  which  had  been  a  landmark 
for  the  French  for  over  one  hundred  years.  Upon 
the  high,  precipitous  left  bank,  the  General 
planned  an  encampment  within  which  the  soldiers 
"threw  up  works  to  secure  and  deposit  the  heavy 
baggage  of  the  troops,  so  that  the  men  might  be 
light  for  action,  provided  the  enemy  have  pre- 
sumption to  favor  us  with  an  interview,  which  if 


1794 

they  should  think  proper  to  do,  the  troops  are  in 
such  high  spirits  that  we  will  make  an  easy  victory 
of  them." 

At  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  August  2oth, 
1794,  the  army  marched  from  Fort  Deposit  down 
the  left  bank  of  the  Maumee  and,  about  three 
miles  distant,  met  the  enemy  in  Fallen  Timber 
(the  result  of  a  former  tornado)  on  and  around 
Presque  Isle,  a  prominence  on  the  river  bank,  a 
former  island  in  the  river's  early  geologic  history 
and  another  landmark  of  the  early  French.  The 
enemy  was  here  hidden  in  the  grass  and  behind 
the  fallen  trees,  and  the  unexpected  discharge 
of  their  guns  into  the  ranks  at  short  range  threw 
Wayne's  advance  guard  into  confusion;  but  the 
army  was  prepared  for  this  and  there  was  an  im- 
mediate rally  with  definite  orders  from  the  Gen- 
eral, who  at  once  saw  the  condition  of  affairs. 
The  quickly  ordered  "charge  with  trailed  arms" 
routed  the  Savages  from  their  ambush  and  the 
rapid  attack  and  slaughter  of  them  in  front  and 
flank  soon  caused  their  general  and  promiscuous 
flight,  with  the  Americans  in  such  rapid  and  close 
pursuit  for  three  or  four  miles,  even  to  within 
range  of  the  British  Fort  Miami's  guns,  that  only 
part  of  Wayne's  command  could  participate. 
General  Wayne  reported  that: 


ii4  The  Ohio  Country  ' 

"From  every  account  the  enemy  amounted  to  two 
thousand  combatants.  The  troops  actually  engaged 
against  them  were  short  of  nine  hundred  .  .  .  with 
loss  of  thirty-three  killed  and  one  hundred  wounded 
[eleven  of  whom  died  before  this  report  was  written]. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy,  composed  of  Aborigines,  Cana- 
dian militia,  and  volunteers,  was  more  than  double 
to  that  of  the  Federal  army.  The  woods  were  strewed 
for  a  considerable  distance  with  dead  bodies  of  the 
Aborigines  and  their  white  auxiliaries." 

On  his  march  down  the  river,  about  sixteen 
miles  below  Fort  Defiance,  General  Wayne  was 
met  by  Christopher  Miller,  his  "special  flag,"  on 
his  return  from  the  enemy.  The  reply  to  the  Gen- 
eral's "last  overture  for  peace"  was,  "If  you  will 
remain  at  Grand  Oglaize  [Fort  Defiance]  ten  days 
we  will  let  you  know  whether  we  will  be  for  peace 
or  war."  It  was  fortunate  for  the  Canadian  Brit- 
ish that  General  Wayne  did  not  mind  this  reply. 
August  1 8th,  two  days  before  the  Battle  of  Fallen 
Timber,  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Colonel  Simcoe 
wrote  to  Governor-General  Lord  Dorchester  that 
he  "would  go  to  Detroit  with  all  the  force  he  could 
muster."  Simcoe  was  pronounced  in  his  hope  that 
this  third  large  American  army  would  meet  the 
fate  of  the  other  two.  General  Wayne's  report 
shows  that  reinforcements  of  the  enemy  were 
received  two  days  before,  and  later  reports  show 


1794 

reinforcement  a  few  days  after,  the  battle.  His 
report  to  the  Secretary  of  War  further  reads  as 
follows : 

"The  Americans  remained  three  days  and  nights 
on  the  banks  of  the  Maumee  in  front  of  the  field  of 
battle,  during  which  time  all  the  houses  and  cornfields 
were  consumed  and  destroyed  for  a  considerable  dis- 
tance, both  above  and  below  Fort  Miami,  as  well  as 
within  pistol  shot  of  that  garrison,  who  were  com- 
pelled to  remain  tacit  spectators  to  this  general 
devastation  and  conflagration,  among  which  were 
the  houses,  stores  and  property  of  Colonel  McKee  the 
British  Aborigine  agent  and  principal  stimulator  of 
the  war  now  existing  between  the  United  States  and 
the  Savages." 

Major  William  Campbell  of  the  British  24th 
Regiment,  who  was  commanding  officer  of  Fort 
Miami,  early  addressed  a  note  to  General  Wayne 
protesting  against  his  near  approach  to  "a  post 
belonging  to  his  Majesty  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
occupied  by  his  Majesty's  troops,"  declaring  that 
he  "knew  of  no  war  existing  between  Great  Britain 
and  America."  This  gave  occasion  for  two  sharp 
letters  from  General  Wayne,  ordering  the  Major 
to  get  out  of  American  territory  with  his  command, 
Wayne  knowing  of  course  that  an  officer  must 
obey  only  the  orders  of  his  commanding  officer; 
but  he  chafed  under  this  restraint,  and  reported 


n6  The  Ohio  Country 

to  the  Secretary  of  War,  regarding  Major  Camp- 
bell's third  courteous  but  firm  letter,  that: 

"The  only  notice  taken  of  this  letter,  was  by  im- 
mediately setting  fire  to,  and  destroying,  everything 
within  view  of  the  fort,  and  even  under  the  muzzles 
of  his  guns.  Had  Mr.  Campbell  carried  his  threats 
into  execution,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  he  would 
have  experienced  a  storm." 

Prisoners  were  captured  at  the  Battle  of  Fallen 
Timber,  British  soldiers  and  subjects,  as  well  as 
their  allies,  the  Savages,  and  they  gave  much  im- 
portant information  and  evidence. 

The  army  arrived  at  Fort  Defiance,  on  its  return, 
August  2yth.  The  same  fortifying  of  Wayne's 
camps  was  continued,  to  a  moderate  degree,  as 
had  been  done  with  his  advance,  he  always  being 
on  the  guard  against  surprise  by  the  stealthy  foe. 
This  gave  rise  to  the  statement  by  the  Savages 
that  General  Wayne  "never  slept."  The  rapidity 
and  security  of  his  army's  movements  through 
"their  country"  caused  them  to  call  him  "the 
wind  " ;  and  his  impetuous,  and  to  them  disastrous, 
charge  and  pursuit  at  the  Battle  of  Fallen  Tim- 
ber gave  him  the  name  of  "whirlwind"  by  their 
survivors. 

Near  the  close  of  Wayne's  report  after  his  re- 
turn to  Fort  Defiance,  he  wrote  in  part  as  follows: 


1794 

"It  is,  however,  not  improbable  that  the  enemy 
may  make  one  desperate  effort  against  this  army,  as 
it  is  said  that  a  reinforcement  was  hourly  expected 
at  Fort  Miami  from  Niagara  as  well  as  numerous 
tribes  of  Aborigines  living  on  the  margin  and  islands 
of  the  lakes.  This  is  a  business  rather  to  be  wished 
for  rather  than  dreaded  whilst  the  army  remains  in 
force.  Their  numbers  will  only  tend  to  confuse  the 
Savages  and  the  victory  will  be  the  more  complete 
and  decisive,  and  which  may  eventually  ensure  a 
permanent  and  happy  peace. " 

Attention  was  at  once  given  to  the  strengthening 
of  Fort  Defiance  by  the  army,  and  the  gathering 
of  the  corn  and  vegetables  growing  within  com- 
fortable distance.  The  walls  and  roofs  of  the  four 
blockhouses,  and  the  palisades,  were  made  "bomb 
proof";  a  broad  water-moat  was  made,  with 
glacis  nearly  surrounding,  and  fascines  with  pick- 
ets. The  junction  of  the  Auglaize  with  the  Mau- 
mee  River  was  approached  by  an  underground 
passageway  for  a  safe  and  unlimited  supply  of 
water.  This  was  the  strongest  fortification  built 
by  Wayne. 

Immediately  following  the  Battle  of  Fallen 
Timber,  many  of  the  Savages,  not  finding  the  ex- 
pected support  and  protection  from  the  British 
Fort  Miami,  fled  to  Detroit,  the  British  head- 
quarters, where  an  estimate  placed  their  number, 


n8  The  Ohio  Country 

within  a  few  days,  at  thirteen  hundred.  Addi- 
tional evidence  of  the  severe  effect  of  the  battle 
on  them  and  the  British  militia  with  them  there, 
was  the  equipment,  at  Detroit,  of  another  hos- 
pital with  an  additional  surgeon,  the  expense  of 
which  was  approved  by  Lieutenant-Governor 
Simcoe  October  3ist. 

The  British  also  proceeded  at  once  to  strengthen 
Fort  Lernoult  at  Detroit;  and  a  blockhouse  was 
built  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river;  also  six  gun- 
boats were  constructed  for  patrolling  the  river 
and  communicating  with  Forts  Turtle  Island  and 
Miami. 

As  fast  as  possible  Colonel  McKee  assembled 
the  Savages  by  the  Maumee  River  at  the  mouth 
of  Swan  Creek,  about  eight  miles  below  Fort  Mi- 
ami. The  autumn  and  the  following  winter  were 
times  of  great  suffering  among  them.  Their  crops 
having  been  destroyed  by  the  army,  rendered  them 
more  than  ever  dependent  on  the  British  who, 
not  being  prepared  for  so  great  a  task,  and  withal 
quite  fatigued  before  with  their  exactions,  "did 
not  half  supply  them."  They  were  huddled  so 
closely  together  along  the  Maumee  that  much 
sickness  prevailed  from  want  of  sanitary  regula- 
tions, exposure,  and  scant  food  supply,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  malaria  of  the  warmer  weather,  stored 


1794  "9 

in  their  systems.  The  few  domestic  animals  they 
possessed  also  languished,  died,  or  were  killed, 
and  were  eaten  by  their  masters.  They  became 
impatient,  murmured  at  the  failure  of  the  British 
to  protect  and  supply  them  according  to  promise, 
and  lamented  that  they  had  not  made  peace  with 
the  Americans. 

The  British  also  suffered  severely  during  this 
time.  Colonel  Richard  England  wrote,  October 
28,  1794,  to  Francis  Le  Mattre,  British  Military 
Secretary,  complaining  of  the  great  amount  of  food 
supplies  taken  by  Colonel  McKee  (to  the  Maumee 
River  at  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek)  for  the  Aborig- 
ines; also  for  those  taken  "for  the  garrisons  at 
Fort  Miamies  [about  thirty-five  miles  within  Amer- 
ican territory]  and  at  Turtles  Island"  (at  the 
mouth  of  Maumee  Bay).  He  paid  the  soldiers  of 
these  garrisons  "a  dollar  a  chord  for  Cutting  & 
piling  the  Fire  wood  necessary  for  these  Posts  for 
the  winter. "  Loss  by  death  at  these  posts  ' '  by 
that  unfavorable  climate"  was  very  severe.  At 
the  date  of  Colonel  England's  writing  there  were : 

"of  the  24th  Regiment  only  one  hundred  &  fifty-four 
on  the  Surgeon's  sick  list  Report.  Those  who  sur- 
vive will  not  I  fear  be  fit  for  any  Duty  this  winter, 
as  their  disorder  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  give  but 
little  hope  of  a  speedy  or  permanent  recovery. 


120  The  Ohio  Country 

Every  attention  is  paid  to  them  that  this  [Detroit] 
Post  will  admit  of,  but  from  the  very  unusual  Con- 
sumption of  Medicine,  Our  Stock,  as  well  as  all  that 
could  be  purchased  here,  is  totally  Expended,  and 
we  look  with  impatience  for  a  supply  from  Lower 
Canada. " 


CHAPTER  X 

THE  TAMING  OF  THE  BROKEN  SAVAGE  SPIRIT 

Wayne  Marches  his  Army  to  the  Site  of  the  Miami  Villages — 
There  Builds  Fort  Wayne — Receives  and  Makes  Valuable 
Friends  of  Deserters  from  the  British — Disaffection  of 
Kentucky  Volunteers — They  are  Sent  Home — Savage 
Scouts  Active  at  Fort  Defiance — Wayne's  Suggestion  of 
General  Council  with  Aborigines  Meets  Favor. 

^ENERAL  WAYNE  and  army  remained  at 
^-^  Fort  Defiance  until  September  14,  1794, 
nursing  the  wounded,  sick,  and  fatigued,  working 
about  the  fort,  disciplining  his  army,  gathering 
the  crops,  and  despatching  detachments  for  other 
needed  supplies.  These  detachments  were  de- 
layed by  bad  condition  of  trails,  bad  weather,  and. 
malarial  affections;  and  the  troops  on  varied  duties 
also  suffered  with  ague  and  allied  affections.  A 
few  thoughtless  ones  strayed  beyond  the  officers' 
orders,  and  were  killed  or  captured  by  prowling 
Savages. 

Fort  Defiance  being  completed,  well  garrisoned, 


122  The  Ohio  Country 

and  supplied,  and  everything  being  in  readiness, 
.the  army  took  up  the  line  of  march  in  the  morning 
of  September  i4th,  crossed  to  the  left  (north) 
bank  of  the  Maumee,  and  moved  westward,  the 
destination  being  the  site  of  the  Miami  villages 
at  the  head  of  the  river,  the  place  of  General 
Harmar's  sad  defeat  four  years  previous.  Arrival 
there  was  made  toward  evening  of  the  i7th,  with- 
out molestation  or  very  serious  experience. 

The  next  day,  the  General  selected  the  site  for, 
and  planned,  a  fort,  which  the  army  built  as  soon 
as  the  now  wet  and  windy  weather  would  permit. 

Four  deserters  from  the  British  arrived  the  23d, 
and  gave  valuable  information.  This  was  the 
second  lot  of  four  who  arrived  this  week.  On 
the  26th,  one  of  the  army's  scouts  reported  that 
the  Savages  had  been  troublesome  at  Fort  Defi- 
ance, killing  some  of  the  garrison  under  its  walls. 

The  work  on  the  new  fort  progressed  well  for  a 
time;  then  the  volunteers  from  Kentucky  lost 
patience  with  work  and  started  to  disobey  the 
orders  of  their  General,  Scott.  He,  however,  was 
equal  to  the  occasion,  telling  them  that  "if  they 
made  the  smallest  delay  they  should  lose  all  their 
pay  and  be  reported  to  the  war  office  as  revolters." 
For  a  short  time  this  had  the  desired  effect  upon 
them ;  and  the  entire  army  was  improved  in  obedi- 


From  1794-1795  123 

ence  therefrom.  The  diary  for  next  day,  October 
3d,  reads  that  "Every  officer,  non-commissioned 
officer,  and  soldier  belonging  to  the  square  are  on 
fatigue  this  day,  hauling  trees  on  the  hind  wheels 
of  wagons."  Again  on  the  yth,  "The  volunteers 
are  soon  tired  of  work  and  have  refused  to  labor 
any  longer;  they  have  stolen  and  killed  seventeen 
beeves  in  the  course  of  these  two  days  past."  In 
consequence,  all  the  soldiers  were  necessarily  con- 
fined to  half  rations  for  some  days. 

General  Wayne  continued  active  with  Canadian 
deserters  from  the  British,  and  the  reports  brought 
to  him  by  them.  He  found  opportunity  to  win 
their  aid  toward  furthering  the  American  cause; 
for,  by  giving  them  pardon,  and  some  pecuniary 
profit  for  supplying  the  American  garrisons,  he 
won  their  influence  in  diverting  the  American  Sav- 
ages from  the  British  to  the  Americans,  their 
rightful  advisers.  These  deserters  well  performed 
their  part  of  the  contract,  and  the  result  again 
showed  the  wisdom  of  President  Washington's 
choice  of  a  commander  for  this  very  important 
kind  of  work,  as  well  as  for  discipline  and  battle. 

On  October  i2th,  the  mounted  volunteers  from 
Kentucky  were  started  for  Fort  Greenville,  to  be 
mustered  and  dismissed ;  and  six  days  later  other 
detachments  moved  away  for  special  work.  The 


124  The  Ohio  Country 

next  day,  Sunday,  the  troops  remaining  at  the 
head  of  the  river  were  not  ordered  to  work,  it 
being  the  first  day  of  rest  for  four  weeks;  and  they 
were  gathered  for  divine  service. 

On  the  22d,  the  command  of  the  new  fort  was 
given  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hamtramck,  with 
five  companies  of  infantry  and  one  company  of 
artillery.  The  troops  were  paraded;  he  ordered 
the  "firing  fifteen  rounds  of  cannon,"  one  for  each 
State  then  composing  the  Union,  and  gave  the 
new  post  the  name  Fort  Wayne.  This  fort  was 
destined  to  be  the  most  enduring  of  all  General 
Wayne's  fortifications,  lasting  twenty-four  years. 
While  not  so  compact  and  strong  for  defence  as 
Fort  Defiance,  it  was  to  become  a  very  important 
post  for  the  completion  of  its  builder's  work  in 
subjugating  the  Savages,  so  well  begun;  and  a 
place  for  acting  an  important  part  in  a  later  war 
against  the  continued  aggressions  of  the  British 
and  their  savage  allies.  Its  name  and  site,  as 
those  of  Fort  Defiance,  have  been  perpetuated  in 
a  beautiful,  flourishing,  and  patriotic  city. 

Leaving  Fort  Wayne  and  the  appointed  garri- 
son in  good  condition,  the  remainder  of  Wayne's 
army  resumed  its  march  October  28,  1794,  pass- 
ing up  the  right  bank  of  the  St.  Marys  River, 
past  Fort  Adams,  to  the  site  of  the  present 


From  1794-1795  125 

city  of  St.  Marys,  where  Wayne  afterwards  built 
a  fort,  and  thence  southward.  They  arrived  at 
Fort  Greenville  November  2,  1794,  receiving  from 
there  a  salute  of  "twenty-four  rounds  from  a  six- 
pounder." 

General  Wayne  could  not  remain  idle;  nor 
would  he  permit  his  soldiers  to  remain  idle.  His 
grasp  of  the  situation  was  complete,  and  his  views 
of  its  necessities  were  practical.  His  first  duty 
was  to  keep  his  trains  of  packhorses  on  the  trail, 
along  the  great  number  of  long,  weary  miles 
through  the  wilderness,  going  for,  and  returning 
with,  supplies  for  his  army  and  for  his  several 
forts. 

The  situation  also  required  more  fortifications, 
and  protected  camping  places  for  the  supply 
trains.  In  person,  he  carefully  selected  the  sites, 
and  planned,  and  directed  his  soldiers  to  build, 
Forts  Piqua  and  Loramie  by  the  upper  waters  of 
the  Miami  River  (flowing  southward  into  the  Ohio) ; 
Fort  St.  Mary,  by  the  river  with  the  same  name, 
the  southern  tributary  of  the  Maumee  River,  and 
Fort  Auglaize,  by  the  "head  of  the  Auglaize." 
This  was  the  head  of  its  navigation,  at  the  north 
end  of  the  portage  from  Fort  St.  Mary  to  the  Au- 
glaize River,  and  thus  communicated  directly 
with  Fort  Defiance  by  a  shorter  and  better  way 


126  The  Ohio  Country 

than  his  first  trail.  The  sites  of  these  forts,  like 
those  of  all  other  forts  built  by  this  wide-awake 
General,  were  well  chosen;  and  larger  fortifications 
were  there  built  for  the  War  of  1812,  as  shown  on 
later  pages. 

The  Secretary  of  War  was  kept  informed,  by 
full  reports,  regarding  these  works,  and  of  the 
General's  activities  in  diplomatically  bringing 
about  further  changes  in  the  minds  of  the  Aborig- 
ines regarding  their  best  interests.  This  work 
began  soon  after  the  Battle  of  Fallen  Timber. 

George  Ironside,  an  observing  and  honest 
Englishman  and  former  prominent  British  trader 
among  the  Aborigines  at  the  junction  of  the  Au- 
glaize  with  the  Maumee  River,  where  Wayne 
later  built  Fort  Defiance,  also  gave  aid  to  this 
work  by  writing  and  saying  that,  at  the  Battle  of 
Fallen  Timber,  "The  Aborigines  as  yet  had  felt 
only  the  weight  of  General  Wayne's  little  finger, 
and  that  he  would  surely  destroy  all  the  tribes  if 
they  did  not  turn  to  peace  with  the  Americans." 

Some  Frenchmen,  British  soldiers  captured  in 
Wayne's  great  battle,  and  also  later  deserters 
from  the  British,  were  soon  won  over  to  Wayne 
by  his  strong  personality,  and  to  the  American 
cause  by  its  reasonableness;  and  they  became 
willing  and  valuable  agents  in  approaching  and 


From  1794-1795  127 

converting  the  Aborigines  in  the  time  of  their 
great  distress  in  the  winter  of  1794-95,  following 
the  destruction  of  their  crops,  and  the  neglect 
of  them  by  their  allies,  the  British.  On  invitation, 
chiefs  visited  the  American  fortifications,  and  Gen- 
eral Wayne  at  Greenville,  where  their  temporary 
wants  were  supplied ;  and  a  grand  council  of  them 
with  the  Americans  was  suggested.  This  sugges- 
tion was  well  received  by  the  visiting  chiefs,  and 
they  were  instructed  to  communicate  this  request 
to  others. 

General  Wayne's  Reports  to  the  Secretary  of 
War  contain  much  valuable  information.  That 
of  December  23,  1794,  reads  in  part  as  follows: 

"I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  flag  from 
the  Wyandots  of  Sandusky,  after  an  absence  of  forty- 
two  days,  returned  to  Greenville  on  the  evening  of 
the  1 4th  instant. 

"The  enclosed  copies  of  letters  and  speeches  will 
best  demonstrate  the  insidious  part  recently  taken  by 
the  British  agents,  Messrs.  Simcoe,  McKee  and  Brant, 
to  stimulate  the  savages  to  continue  the  war,  who, 
being  too  well  acquainted  with  the  near  approach 
of  that  period  in  which  the  legion  [Wayne's  army] 
will  be  dissolved,  have  artfully  suggested  a  suspension 
of  hostilities  until  spring,  in  order  to  lull  us  into  a  state 
of  security  to  prevent  the  raising  of  troops,  and  to 
afford  the  Aborigines  an  opportunity  to  make  their 
fall  and  winter  hunt  unmolested. 


128  The  Ohio  Country 

"In  the  interim  the  British  are  vigilantly  employed 
in  strengthening  and  making  additions  to  their  forti- 
fication at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  the  Miamies  of  the 
Lake  [Maumee  River]  evidently  with  a  view  of  con- 
vincing the  Aborigines  of  their  determination  to  as- 
sist and  protect  them;  hence  there  is  strong  ground  to 
conclude  that  Governor  Simcoe  has  not  received  any 
orders  to  the  contrary,  otherwise  he  would  not  pre- 
sume to  persevere  in  those  nefarious  acts  of  hostility. 

"The  Wyandots  and  other  Aborigines  at  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  rapids  of  Sandusky  River,  are  com- 
pletely within  our  power,  and  their  hunting  grounds 
all  within  striking  distance;  hence  their  present 
solicitude  for  a  suspension  of  hostilities. 

"But  unless  Congress  has  already,  or  will  im- 
mediately adopt  effectual  measures  to  raise  troops  to 
garrison  this  as  well  as  the  other  posts  already  estab- 
lished, it  would  only  be  a  work  of  supererogation, 
as  the  whole  must  otherwise  be  abandoned  by  the 
middle  of  May.  I  have,  however,  succeeded  in 
dividing  and  distracting  the  counsels  of  the  hostile 
Aborigines,  and  hope  through  that  means  eventually 
to  bring  about  a  general  peace,  or  to  compel  the  re- 
fractory to  pass  the  Mississippi  and  to  the  northwest 
side  of  the  lakes. 

"The  British  agents  have  greatly  the  advantage  in 
this  business  at  present  by  having  it  in  their  power  to 
furnish  the  Aborigines  with  every  necessary  supply  of 
arms,  ammunition,  and  clothing,  in  exchange  for 
their  skins  and  furs,  which  will  always  make  the 
Savages  dependent  upon  them  until  the  United  States 
establish  trading  houses  in  their  country,  from  which 
they  can  be  supplied  with  equal  facility,  and  at 
reasonable  rates. " 


From  1794-1795  129 

This  suggestion  of  trading  posts  for  the  Aborig- 
ines, a  measure  that  should  have  been  put  in  exe- 
cution years  before,  was  later  adopted  by  the 
United  States;  but,  by  that  time,  the  British  had 
circumvented  the  good  the  system  should  have 
done  both  to  the  Aborigines  and  to  the  United 
States. 

Wayne's  work  to  draw  the  Aborigines  away 
from  the  British  influence  was  not  of  an  easy 
character,  nor  were  his  strong  and  prudent 
efforts  attended  with  constant  success.  As  he 
stated,  the  British  had  the  advantage;  in  fact 
they  had  several  advantages;  and  McKee  rallied 
the  authorities  to  renewed  activities.  McKee, 
in  a  letter  of  March  27,  1795,  to  Joseph  Chew, 
Secretary  of  the  British  Aborigine  Office,  chided 
the  government  for  leaving  to  shift  for  them- 
selves "the  poor  Indians  who  have  long  fought 
for  us,  and  bled  freely  for  us,  which  is  no  bar 
to  a  peaceable  accommodation  with  America." 

The  British  had  several  times  before,  during  the 
Revolutionary  War,  met  General  Wayne  under 
conditions  in  their  favor,  and  had  found  in  him 
an  opponent  whose  prowess  was  worthy  of  their 
best  efforts.  This  contest  against  them  and  their 
savage  allies,  destined  to  be  his  last  great  work 
for  his  country,  was  yet  to  show  the  enemies  that 


130  The  Ohio  Country 

this  typical  American  soldier  had  lost  none  of  his 
patriotism,  alertness,  and  wisdom;  characteristics 
which  had  shed  a  lustre  on  American  arms  that 
will  never  fade. 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE  MOST  IMPORTANT  OF  ALL  TREATIES  WITH  THE 
SAVAGES 

Discipline  in  the  Army — Wayne's  Diplomacy  in  Winning  the 
Savages  to  Peace — His  Agents  in  the  Work — Exchange 
of  Prisoners — The  Treaty  of  Greenville,  August  3, 1795 — 
Number  of  Tribes  in  the  Agreement. 

IVTOTWITHSTANDING  the  great  victories  of 
the  armies  and  navies  of  the  United  Colo- 
nies and  States  of  America,  peace  has  had  victo- 
ries greater  than  war  throughout  this  nation's 
history;  and  her  forbearance  toward  offenders, 
and  her  magnanimity  toward  the  conquered,  have 
been  examples  to  all  nations  which  have  added 
greatly  to  the  peace  and  civilization  of  all  other 
peoples;  and  these  great  principles  of  humanity 
will  continue  to  increase  in  power  therefrom 
throughout  the  world. 

The  victories  of  General  Wayne's  army  were 
signal  in  this  campaign  through  the  wilderness 
far  from  the  base  of  supplies;  but  his  victory  for 


132  The  Ohio  Country 

the  peace,  soon  to  follow,  opened  up  the  way  to  con- 
quer, without  further  shedding  of  blood,  all  of  the 
Savages  and,  also,  for  a  time,  their  allies  the  British. 
General  Wayne  was  a  good  judge  of  men.  His 
choice  of  Colonel  John  Francis  Hamtramck  as 
commandant  of  Fort  Wayne  was  well  considered 
and  appropriate.  This  site  of  the  noted  "Miami 
Villages"  had  been  the  headquarters  of  the  Mia- 
mis  and  other  strong  tribes  of  Savages  for  gener- 
ations; and  hence,  for  many  years,  had  emanated 
numerous  raiding  and  murdering  parties  of  Sav- 
ages against  the  American  frontiers.  Colonel 
Hamtramck  was  a  small  Canadian  Frenchman, 
who  had  been  many  years  in  the  American  ser- 
vice, and,  always  having  proved  himself  patriotic, 
capable,  and  meritorious,  had  been  advanced  ac- 
cordingly. His  letter-book,  which  was  in  part 
saved  from  destruction  in  Detroit  after  his  death, 
sheds  some  sidelights  on  the  character  of  his  sol- 
diers, the  government's  orders  for  discipline  at 
that  time,  and  the  work  of  winning  the  Savages  to 
peace.  Hamtramck' s  reports  were  all  addressed 
from  Fort  Wayne  to  General  Wayne  at  Greenville, 
and  some  of  them  are  in  part  as  follows,  the  first 
under  date  December  5,  1794: 

"  It  is  with  a  great  degree  of  mortification  that  I 
am  obliged  to  inform  Your  Excellency  of  the  great 


From  1794-1795  133 

propensity  many  of  the  soldiers  have  for  larceny.  I 
have  flogged  them  until  I  am  tired.  The  economic 
allowance  of  one  hundred  lashes,  allowed  by  govern- 
ment, does  not  appear  a  sufficient  inducement  for  a 
rascal  to  act  the  part  of  an  honest  man.  I  have  now  a 
number  in  confinement  and  in  irons  for  having  stolen 
four  quarters  of  beef  on  the  night  of  the  jd  instant. 
I  could  wish  them  to  be  tried  by  a  general  court 
martial,  in  order  to  make  an  example  of  some  of 
them.  I  shall  keep  them  confined  until  the  pleasure 
of  your  excellency  is  known. " 

The  General  had  a  better  way  of  dealing  with 
his  men  than  flogging  them — a  way  that  appealed 
to  their  thoughtful  and  better  judgment  for  the 
control  of  their  excesses,  and  for  the  proper  obed- 
ience of  all  the  orders  of  their  officers,  so  necessary 
for  soldiers  and  the  cause  they  represent ;  when  so 
far  in  the  wilderness  particularly.  He  held  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  his  men,  and  they  quickly 
responded  to  his  every  wish;  otherwise  he  could 
not  have  swept  through  this  dense  and  difficult 
' '  black  swamp "  the  way  he  had  done,  and  so 
quickly  crushed  all  opposition  of  the  enemies  in 
the  great  battle  by  the  Maumee. 

Colonel  Hamtramck's  letters  continue,  with  date 
December  2pth: 

"Yesterday  a  number  of  chiefs  of  the  Chippeways, 
Ottawas,  Socks  [Sacs]  and  Potawotamies  arrived 
here  with  the  two  Lassells  deserters  from  the  British. 


134  The  Ohio  Country 

It  appears  that  the  Shawanese,  Delawares,  and 
Miamies  remain,  still  under  the  influence  of  McKee; 
but  Lassell  thinks  that  they  will  be  compelled  to  come 
into  the  measures  of  the  other  Aborigines.  After 
the  chiefs  have  rested  a  day  or  two,  I  will  send  them 
to  headquarters. 

"December  apth:  .  .  .  Since  my  letter  to  Your 
Excellency  of  the  present  date,  two  war-chiefs  have 
arrived  from  the  Miami  nation,  and  inform  me  that 
their  nation  will  be  here  in  a  few  days,  from  whence 
they  will  proceed  to  Greenville.  They  also  bring 
intelligence  of  the  remaining  tribes  of  savages  ac- 
ceding to  the  prevalent  wish  for  peace,  and  collecting 
for  the  purpose  the  chiefs  of  their  nations,  who, 
it  is  expected,  will  make  their  appearance  at  this 
post  about  the  same  time  the  Miamies  may  come 
forward. 

"January  15,  1795:  ...  A  number  of  chiefs  and 
warriors  of  the  Miamis  arrived  at  the  garrison  on  the 
1 3th  instant.  Having  informed  them  that  I  could 
do  nothing  with  them,  and  that  it  was  necessary  for 
them  to  proceed  to  headquarters,  finding  it  incon- 
venient for  so  many  to  go,  they  selected  five  who 
are  going  under  charge  of  Lieutenant  Massie,  and 
perhaps  will  be  accompanied  by  some  warriors. 
The  one  whose  name  is  Jean  Baptiste  Richardville, 
is  half  white  and  a  village  chief  of  the  nation. 

"  As  you  are  well  acquainted  with  the  original  cause 
of  the  war  with  the  Aborigines,  I  shall  not  say  much 
upon  it,  except  to  observe  that  all  the  French  traders, 
who  were  so  many  machines  to  the  British  agents,  can 
be  bought,  and  McKee,  being  then  destitute  of  his 
satellites,  will  remain  solus,  with  perhaps  his  few 
Shawanese,  to  make  penance  for  his  past  iniquities. 


From  1794-1795  135 

"  Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I  have  had  a  talk  with 
the  chiefs.  I  have  shown  them  the  necessity  of  with- 
drawing themselves  from  the  headquarters  of  corrup- 
tion, and  invited  them  to  come  and  take  possession 
of  their  former  habitations  [across  the  Maumee  and 
St.  Mary  rivers  from  the  garrison  of  Fort  Wayne] 
which  they  have  promised  me  to  do.  Richardville 
tells  me,  that  as  soon  as  he  returns  he  will  go  on  the 
Salamonie  [River]  on  [near]  the  head  of  the  Wabash, 
and  there  make  a  village.  He  has  also  promised  me 
to  open  the  navigation  of  the  Wabash  to  the  flag  of 
the  United  States. 

"February  3rd:  .  .  .  Lieutenant  Massey  arrived  on 
the  3 1 st.  The  Indians  also  returned  on  the  2gth  in 
high  spirits  and  very  much  pleased  with  their  recep- 
tion by  you  [General  Wayne]  at  headquarters.  They 
assure  me  that  they  will  absolutely  make  a  lasting 
peace  with  the  United  States. 

"March  ist:  .  .  .  I  have  now  with  me  about  forty 
Indians  on  a  visit.  They  are  Potawotamies,  who  live 
on  Bear  Creek  [in  the  present  Lenawee  County, 
Michigan].  They  say  that  as  they  are  making  peace 
with  us,  they  will  expect  us  to  give  them  some  corn 
to  plant  next  spring.  Indeed  all  the  Aborigines  who 
have  been  here  have  requested  that  I  would  inform 
Your  Excellency  of  their  miserable  situation,  and  that 
they  expect  everything  from  you. 

"March  5:  ...  A  number  of  Potawotamie  In- 
dians arrived  here  yesterday  from  Huron  River,  Michi- 
gan. They  informed  me  that  they  were  sent  by  their 
nation  at  that  place,  and  by  the  Ottawas  and  Chippe- 
ways  living  on  the  same  river,  as  also  in  the  name  of 
the  Chippeways  living  on  the  Saginaw  River  which 
empties  into  Lake  Huron,  in  order  to  join  in  the 


136  The  Ohio  Country 

good  intention,  of  the  other  Aborigines,  by  establish- 
ing a  permanent  peace  with  the  United  States.  I 
informed  them  that  I  was  not  the  first  chief,  and 
invited  them  to  go  to  Greenville;  to  which  they  re- 
plied that  it  was  rather  a  long  journey,  but  from  the 
great  desire  they  had  to  see  the  Wind  (for  they  called 
you  so)  they  would  go.  I  asked  them  for  an  explica- 
tion of  your  name.  They  told  me  that  on  the  zoth 
August  last,  you  were  exactly  like  a  whirlwind, 
which  drives  and  tears  everything  before  it.  Mr. 
LeChauvre,  a  Frenchman,  is  a  trader  with  them  and 
has  come  as  their  interpreter.  Father  Burke  con- 
tinues his  exhortations.  He  assures  the  inhabitants 
that  if  any  of  them  should  be  so  destitute  of  every 
principle  of  honor  and  religion  as  to  aid  or  advise 
the  Indians  to  come  to  the  Americans,  they  shall  be 
anathematized.  He  is  now  a  commissary  and  issues 
corn  to  the  Aborigines.  Mr.  LeChauvre  informs  me 
that  Burke  is  going,  in  the  spring,  to  Michilimackinac. 
Of  consequence  we  may  easily  judge  of  his  mission. 
He  will,  no  doubt,  try  to  stop  the  nations  from  coming 
in  to  the  treaty.  How  would  it  do  to  take  him  pris- 
oner? I  think  that  it  could  be  done  very  easily. 

"March  17:  ...  I  had  very  great  hopes  that  the 
man  who  deserted  when  on  his  post  would  have  been 
made  an  example  of;  but  weakness  too  often  appears 
in  the  shape  of  lenity,  for  he  was  only  sentenced  to 
receive  one  hundred  lashes,  to  be  branded,  and 
drummed  out.  This  man,  from  his  past  conduct, 
was  perfectly  entitled  to  the  gallows."1 

>  For  additional  letters  from  Colonel  Hamtramck  to  Gen- 
eral Wayne  regarding  the  winning  of  the  Aborigines  to  peace, 
see  Slocum's  History  of  the  Maumee  River  Basin, 


From  1794-1 795  J37 

The  diplomacy  and  persistency  of  General 
Wayne  and  his  agents  were  successful  and  January 
i,  1 795,  he  sent  a  message  to  the  petitioning  Wyan- 
dots  at  Sandusky  that  the  chiefs  of  the  Chippe- 
was,  Ottawas,  Sacs,  Pottawotamis,  and  Miamis 
had  arrived  at  Fort  Wayne  and  would  soon  visit 
him  at  Greenville  in  the  interest  of  peace. 

On  January  24th,  he  reported  to  the  Secretary 
of  War  that  two  preliminary  articles  of  peace  had 
been  signed  by  him  and  the  sachems  and  war 
chiefs  of  the  Chippewas,  Pottawotamis,  Sacs,  and 
Miamis.  These  preliminary  articles  provided  that 
hostilities  should  cease;  that  there  should  be  a 
meeting  for  council  and  treaty  at  Fort  Greenville 
on  or  about  June  15,  1795;  that  immediate  infor- 
mation should  be  given  to  General  Wayne  of  all 
hostile  movements  that  came  to  the  knowledge  of 
any  of  the  Aborigines ;  and  that  the  General  was  to 
reciprocate  in  their  interest. 

Soon  after  this  date,  the  Dela wares  visited  Fort 
Defiance  and  exchanged  prisoners  to  the  number 
of  nine,  this  being  all  of  the  Aborigines  then  held 
at  that  place.  John  Brickell,  from  whom  this  in- 
formation was  obtained,  then  fourteen  years  of  age, 
had  been  captive  with  the  Delawares  four  years, 
and  on  this  occasion  keenly  felt  the  want  of  an- 
other Aborigine  prisoner  with  the  garrison,  that  he 


138  The  Ohio  Country 

also  might  be  exchanged  to  return  to  his  kinsfolk. 
In  May,  however,  the  Dela wares  again  appeared 
across  the  Maumee  River  from  Fort  Defiance  and 
discharged  their  guns  in  salute.  The  garrison  of 
the  fort  returned  the  salute  with  a  cannon  shot 
for  each  State  then  in  the  Union.  At  this  visit 
Brickell  was  surrendered  to  the  garrison  with 
some  sentiment  on  the  part  of  the  Aborigines, 
and  good  fellowship  prevailed. 

Wayne  early  prepared  for  the  prospective  large 
meeting  of  the  Aborigines  at  Greenville  for  coun- 
cil, and  for  a  treaty  of  peace.  Ground  was  cleared, 
an  ample  Council  House  was  soon  built  by  his  ex- 
perienced axemen  that  would  protect  from  the 
sun  or  rain  and  yet  be  open  at  the  sides  for  free 
ventilation.  A  large  quantity  of  clothing  and  other 
useful  articles  for  presents,  and  bountiful  supplies 
of  food,  had  been  ordered  from  the  East,  and  all 
were  received  in  good  time. 

About  the  ist  of  June  a  goodly  number  of  Dela- 
ware, Ottawa,  Pottawotami,  and  Eel  River  Abor- 
igines began  to  arrive,  and  all  were  well  received. 
Others  arrived  each  day,  and,  June  i6th,  the  Gen- 
eral Council  was  opened,  with  good  attendance. 
After  smoking  the  Calumet  of  Peace,  an  oath  of 
accuracy  and  fidelity  was  subscribed  to  by  eight 
interpreters,  and  by  Henry  De  Butts  as  secretary. 


From  1794-1795  139 

As  presiding  officer  General  Wayne  stated  the 
object  of  the  Council,  exhibited  his  commission 
received  from  President  Washington,  and  put  all 
present  in  good  humor  by  his  happy  remarks,  say- 
ing, in  closing,  "The  heavens  are  bright,  the  roads 
are  open;  we  will  rest  in  peace  and  love,  and  wait 
the  arrival  of  our  brothers  [referring  to  the  tardy 
Aborigines  who,  at  similar  times,  like  sulky  chil- 
dren desired  to  be  sent  for  with  special  overtures]. 
We  will  on  this  happy  occasion  be  merry  without, 
however,  passing  the  bounds  of  temperance  and 
sobriety." 

Frequent  arrivals  of  large  numbers  continued. 
The  third  day  of  July  all  were  called  together,  and 
the  General  gave  them  their  first  lesson  in  Amer- 
ican patriotism.  He  explained  to  them  why  all 
the  States  of  the  American  Union  celebrated  the 
Fourth  of  July  each  year,  adding: 

"To-morrow  we  shall  for  the  twentieth  time  salute 
the  return  of  this  happy  anniversary,  rendered  still 
more  dear  by  the  brotherly  union  of  the  Americans 
and  red  people ;  to-morrow  all  the  people  within  these 
lines  will  rejoice;  you,  my  brothers,  shall  also  rejoice 
in  your  respective  encampments.  I  called  you  to- 
gether to  explain  these  matters  to  you ;  do  not,  there- 
fore, be  alarmed  at  the  report  of  our  big  guns;  they 
will  do  you  no  harm;  they  will  be  the  harbingers  of 
peace  and  gladness,  and  their  roar  will  ascend  into 
the  heavens.  The  flag  of  the  United  States,  and  the 


140  The  Ohio  Country 

colors  of  this  legion,  shall  be  given  to  the  wind  to  be 
fanned  by  its  gentlest  breeze  in  honor  of  the  birthday 
of  American  freedom.  I  will  now  show  you  our  colors 
that  you  may  know  them  to-morrow.  Formerly  they 
were  displayed  as  ensigns  of  war  and  battle;  now  they 
will  be  exhibited  as  emblems  of  peace  and  happiness. 
This  eagle  which  you  now  see,  holds  close  his  bunch 
of  arrows  whilst  he  seems  to  stretch  forth,  as  a  more 
valuable  offering,  the  inestimable  branch  of  peace. 
The  Great  Spirit  seems  disposed  to  incline  us  all  to 
repose  for  the  future  under  its  grateful  shade  and 
wisely  enjoy  the  blessings  which  attend  it." 

Aborigines  continued  to  arrive.  On  July  i8th, 
a  sachem,  arriving  with  a  band  of  Chippewas,  said 
to  the  General,  "We  would  have  come  in  greater 
numbers  but  for  Brant's  endeavors  to  prevent  us 
in  interest  of  the  British." 

With  great  thoughtfulness  and  circumspection, 
the  text  of  the  treaty  had  been  drawn,  and  the 
General,  by  his  cheerful  yet  serious  and  dignified 
demeanor,  impressed  all  present  to  a  careful  con- 
sideration and  assent  to  each  of  its  provisions, 
separately.  Notwithstanding  the  continued  ar- 
rival of  Aborigines,  the  business  of  the  Council 
was  continued  day  by  day  until  its  completion. 

The  Report  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  August  9, 
1795,  reads  in  part  as  follows: 

"It  is  with  infinite  pleasure  I  now  inform  you  that 


From  1794-1795  141 

a  treaty  of  peace  between  the  United  States  of 
America  and  all  the  late  hostile  tribes  of  Indians 
Northwest  of  the  Ohio  River,  was  unanimously  and 
voluntarily  agreed  to,  and  cheerfully  signed,  by  all 
the  sachems  and  war  chiefs  of  the  respective  nations 
on  the  3rd,  and  exchanged  on  the  7th  instant." 

The  number  of  Aborigines,  and  of  tribes  and 
bands,  credited  with  being  at  the  treaty,  including 
very  late  arrivals,  were: 

Tribes.  Number.         Sworn  Interpreters. 

Wyandots 180  Isaac  Zane  and  Abra- 
ham Williams. 

Delawares 381     Cabot  Wilson. 

Shawnees 143  Jacques  Lasselle  and 

Christopher  Miller. 

4 1  f  M.    Morans     and     Bt. 


Miamis  and  Eel  Rivers      .      .        73  } 

Weas  and  Piankishaws      .      .        1 2  >  William  Wells. 

Kickapoos  and  Kaskaskias     .        10  ) 

Total,  Twelve      .      .      .      .1130         Eight. 

A  number  of  hostile  Cherokees,  who  were  linger- 
ing around  the  headwaters  of  the  Scioto  River, 
did  not  accept  the  invitations  to  the  Council ;  and 
on  August  3d  the  General  notified  them  of  the 
treaty  with  all  the  other  tribes,  also  of  the  treaty 
recently  effected  with  their  brethren  in  the  South. 
He  also  notified  them  to  accept  immediately  his 
last  invitation  to  come  to  Greenville  and  enter 
into  articles  of  peace  or  they  would  stand  alone 


i42  The  Ohio  Country 

and  unprotected.  Some  of  them  accompanied 
"Captain  Longhair,"  a  principal  Cherokee  chief, 
and  the  messenger,  to  Fort  Greenville,  and  soon 
thereafter  accompanied  the  chief  to  their  former 
home  in  the  South.  The  others  promised  to  hunt 
quietly  along  the  Scioto  River  until  their  crops 
ripened,  when  they  would  return  South  to  remain. 

The  Aborigines  were  loth  to  leave  Greenville, 
even  after  the  General's  eloquent  farewell  speech. 
Each  of  the  more  prominent  chiefs  desired  to  have 
the  last  word  with  the  great  warrior  who  had  now 
pleased  them  exceedingly. 

Buckongehelas,  the  great  chief  of  the  Dela wares, 
seemed  to  voice  the  sentiments  of  all  when  he  said, 
in  free  and  rounded  translation: 

"Your  children  all  well  understand  the  sense  of  the 
treaty  which  is  now  concluded.  We  experience  daily 
proofs  of  your  increasing  kindness.  I  hope  we  all 
may  have  sense  enough  to  enjoy  our  dawning  happi- 
ness. Many  of  your  people  are  yet  among  us.  I 
trust  they  will  be  immediately  restored.  Last 
winter  our  King  [Tetebokshke]  came  forward  to  you 
with  two,  and  when  he  returned  with  your  speech 
to  us,  we  immediately  prepared  to  come  forward  with 
the  remainder,  which  we  delivered  at  Fort  Defiance. 
All  who  know  me,  know  me  to  be  a  man  and  a 
warrior,  and  I  now  declare  that  I  will  for  the  future  be 
as  true  and  steady  a  friend  to  the  United  States  as  I 
have  heretofore  been  an  active  enemy.  We  have 


From  1794-1795  143 

one  bad  man  among  us  who,  a  few  days  ago,  stole  three 
of  your  horses ;  two  of  them  shall  this  day  be  returned 
to  you,  and  I  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  prevent  that  young 
man  doing  any  more  mischief  to  our  Father  the 
Fifteen  Fires  [States]." 

On  September  gfh  between  sixty  and  seventy 
refractory  and  hostile  Shawnee  warriors,  led  by 
Chief  Pucksekaw  or  Jumper,  arrived  at  Fort 
Greenville  and  wished  to  be  included  in  the  treaty. 
From  the  efforts  of  Chief  Blue  Jacket,  they  brought 
and  surrendered  four  American  captives,  three  of 
whom  were  taken  in  Randolph  County,  Virginia, 
July  i3th  of  this  year  (1795). 

These  being  the  last  of  the  hostiles,  General 
Wayne  turned  his  attention  to  affairs  best  calcu- 
lated to  make  the  treaty,  and  peace,  permanent. 


CHAPTER  XII 

THE   WEST   GAINS   POSSESSION    OF    PART  OF    ITS 
RIGHTS 

Treaty  with  Spain  Favorable  to  the  West — Abandonment  of 
Forts — British  again  Endeavor  to  Seduce  the  Aborigines 
of  the  United  States — The  Jay  Treaty  Favorable  to  the 
West — British  Surrender  American  Forts — Death  of 
General  Wayne — Wayne  County  Organized — More 
French  and  Spanish  Plots — Separation  of  the  West  from 
the  East  again  Suggested — British  Threaten  Spanish 
Possessions  in  the  South. 

HPHE  United  States  concluded  a  treaty  of  friend- 
•*  ship,  of  limits,  and  of  navigation  with  Spain, 
October  27,  1795.  This  treaty  further  allayed  for 
a  time  the  feeling  of  anxiety  and  unrest  with  some, 
of  ambition  with  others,  and  contributed  to  the 
strengthening  of  the  bond  of  union  between  the 
West  and  the  East.  This  was  also  a  year  of  much 
migration  from  the  East,  with  increase  of  settle- 
ments along  the  rivers  of  southern  Ohio,  other 
southern  parts  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  and 
south  of  the  Ohio  River. 

1.44 


From  1795-1798  145 

In  January,  1796,  General  Wayne  visited  the 
seat  of  general  government,  General  James  Wil- 
kinson being  given  chief  command  of  the  North- 
western Army  during  his  absence.  Great  courtesy 
and  deference  were  shown  Wayne  upon  his  arrival 
in  Philadelphia,  and  also  upon  his  visit  to  his 
native  county  of  Chester  nearby. 

Early  this  summer  Wayne's  Forts  Sandusky, 
St.  Marys,  Loramie,  Piqua,  and  Jefferson  were  dis- 
mantled and  abandoned,  leaving  seven  others  be- 
side those  yet  held  by  the  British,  possession  of 
which  he  hoped  soon  to  obtain. 

The  British  agents  again  succeeded  in  arousing 
dissatisfaction  among  some  of  the  Aborigines,  and 
called  a  council  with  them  for  June,  1796,  near 
their  Fort  Miami.  To  counteract  these  influences 
General  Wilkinson  invited  some  of  the  chiefs  to 
visit  him,  and,  later,  he  sent  Colonel  Hamtramck 
down  the  Maumee  River  with  a  detachment  of 
troops  for  the  purpose  of  being  near  those  Aborig- 
ines who  might  attend  the  council.  On  June  8th 
and  1 6th,  Hamtramck  reported  from  Camp  De- 
posit at  Roche  de  Bout  that: 

"  I  arrived  at  this  place  the  day  before  yesterday 
and  have  been  waiting  the  result  of  the  Aborigine 
council  at  the  Miamis  fort.  It  would  appear  that 
they  are  divided  in  their  opinions.  White  Cap,  the 


146  The  Ohio  Country 

principal  Shawanese  chief,  wants  to  alarm  the  Abor- 
igines, but  I  am  in  hopes  that  he  will  not  succeed. 
Blue  Jacket  is  with  me,  and  says  he  will  remain  until 
your  arrival.  Yesterday  some  of  their  chiefs  and 
young  men  were  with  me,  and  assured  me  of  their 
good  intentions  toward  us.  How  far  this  can  be 
depended  upon  time  will  determine.  .  .  . 

"June  16:  .  .  .  Two  of  my  men  deserted  on  the 
1 4th  inst.  I  sent  my  interpreter  and  an  Aborigine  after 
them.  They  brought  them  back  last  night.  I  wish 
they  had  brought  their  scalps  for  I  know  not  what  to 
do  with  them.  Could  I  have  power,  at  times,  to  call 
a  general  court  martial  for  the  trial  of  deserters,  it 
would  save  a  great  deal  of  time. " 

Evidently  the  efforts  of  the  British  to  regain 
their  lost  prestige  with  the  Aborigines  by  this 
council  did  not  meet  with  success. 

The  United  States  Special  Minister  to  Great 
Britain,  John  Jay,  concluded  a  treaty,  November 
19,1794,  which  was  much  disliked  by  many  Amer- 
icans ;  but  which  was  favorable  to  the  peace  of  the 
Northwest  Territory,  inasmuch  as  one  of  its  pro- 
visions was  for  the  British  abandonment  of  their 
military  posts  on  American  soil  on  or  before  the 
ist  of  June,  1796.  This  treaty  was  proclaimed  as 
a  law  by  the  President,  March  i,  1796. 

On  May  27th  General  Wilkinson  sent  Captain 
Schaumberg,  his  aide-de-camp,  to  Detroit,  to  de- 
mand of  Colonel  England  the  evacuation  of  the 


From  1795-1798  147 

forts  subject  to  his  orders — Fort  Lernoult  at  De- 
troit, Fort  Miami  near  the  foot  of  the  Maumee 
Rapids,  and  Fort  Michilimackinac ;  but  the  Colo- 
nel had  not  received  orders  to  do  so  from  his 
superior  officer,  and  could  not  comply  with  the 
demand.  The  British,  however,  had  been  building 
a  fort  at  Maiden,  near  Captain  Matthew  Elliott's 
estate,  and  at  the  present  Amherstburg,  on  the  left 
bank  and  near  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit  River  or 
Strait. 

The  first  of  June  having  passed  without  a  move- 
ment of  the  British  to  vacate  the  forts,  the  Secre- 
tary of  War,  with  General  Wayne  as  councillor, 
decided  to  make  one  more  formal  demand  for 
their  compliance  with  the  late  Jay  Treaty.  Ac- 
cordingly Captain  Lewis  was  sent  from  Philadel- 
phia direct  to  Lord  Dorchester,  Governor  of 
Canada.  This  demand  from  headquarters  was 
received  with  civility,  and  orders  were  given  the 
Captain,  commanding  the  officers  in  charge  of  the 
forts,  east  and  west,  to  vacate  them  to 


.  .  .  "such  officer  belonging  to  the  forces  of  the 
United  States  as  shall  produce  this  authority  to  you 
for  that  purpose,  who  shall  precede  the  troops  destined 
to  garrison  it  by  one  day,  in  order  that  he  may  have 
time  to  view  the  nature  and  condition  of  the  works 
and  buildings.  .  .  ." 


148  The  Ohio  Country 

Upon  his  return  Captain  Lewis  handed  the  or- 
ders for  the  eastern  forts  to  Captain  Bruff  at  Al- 
bany, New  York,  and  those  for  the  western  ones 
to  General  Wayne  in  Philadelphia,  who  immedi- 
ately dispatched  them  to  General  Wilkinson  at 
Greenville,  and  he,  in  turn,  sent  them  to  Colonel 
Hamtramck,  who  also  acted  with  promptness. 
Fort  Miami  was  evacuated  July  nth,  and  was  at 
once  garrisoned  by  Captain  Marschalk  and  his 
command.  Fort  Lernoult  at  Detroit  was  also 
evacuated  the  same  day,  and  was  immediately 
occupied  by  Captain  Moses  Porter,  and,  after  two 
days,  by  Colonel  Hamtramck  with  a  considerable 
garrison. 

Thus  was  possessed,  after  a  further  struggle  of 
thirteen  years  by  the  young  Republic  with  the 
loss  of  much  blood,  what  Great  Britain  was  obli- 
gated to  at  once  surrender  at  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  War,  according  to  the  Treaty  of 
Paris  in  1783. 

During  the  summer  of  1796  there  was  great 
scarcity  of  provisions  at  Detroit  for  the  three 
hundred  American  soldiers,  as  well  as  for  the  large 
number  of  Aborigines  who  from  habit  continued 
to  gather  there.  Samuel  Henley,  Acting  Quarter- 
master, went  southward  to  hasten  forward  sup- 
plies by  way  of  the  Ohio  River  to  Fort  Washington. 


From  1795-1798  149 

He  wrote,  on  August  i3th,  to  General  Williams, 
Quartermaster-General,  at  Detroit,  that: 

"The  Commissary  General  gave  thirty  dollars 
for  the  transportation  of  one  barrel  of  flour  from  Fort 
Washington  to  Fort  Wayne.1  .  .  .  I  am  well  convinced 
that  our  public  wagonmasters  are  a  poor  set  of 
drunken  men." 

General  Wayne,  on  his  return  from  Philadel- 
phia, arrived  at  Detroit  August  13,  1796,  prob- 
ably by  the  sloop  Detroit  from  Presque  Isle,  the 
present  Erie,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  received  with 
demonstrations  of  great  joy  by  all  persons,  in- 
cluding the  twelve  hundred  Aborigines  there  as- 
sembled according  to  the  habit  formed  by  the 
teachings  of  the  British.  He  remained  at  Detroit 
until  November  lyth,  when  he  again  started  for 
Philadelphia  on  a  small  sloop.  On  this  voyage 
over  Lake  Erie  his  system  was  much  irritated  and 
fatigued  by  the  tossings  of  the  storms,  and  the 
disease  from  which  he  had  for  some  time  suffered 
(understood  as  gout)  made  great  progress.  It 
could  not  be  allayed  after  his  arrival  at  Fort 
Presque  Isle,  and  he  there  died  December  15, 1796, 

1  The  form  of  money  most  in  use  here  at  this  time  was 
"York  Currency"  issued  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  New 
York.  A  few  Spanish  silver  dollars  were  in  circulation,  and 
they  were  the  most  valuable  of  all  money  seen,  being  rated  at 
ten  shillings  each. 


iSo  The  Ohio  Country 

aged  fifty-one  years,  eleven  months,  and  fourteen 
days.1 

General  Wayne  served  his  country  well,  and 
with  much  patriotic  fervor.  He  was  a  thorough 
disciplinarian,  brave,  impetuous,  and  irresistible 
in  battle;  and  was  successful  in  inspiring  his  sol- 
diers at  will  with  these  requisites.  He  was  also 
thoughtful  and  conservative  in  planning  and 
equally  successful  in  strategy  and  assault,  as  dem- 
onstrated on  different  battle-fields,  north  and 
south,  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  These 
characteristics  were  prominent  also  during  his 
wilderness  campaign  west  of  the  Allegheny  Moun- 
tains; and  the  success  and  value  of  this  campaign 
were  equalled  only  by  the  success  and  value  of 
his  diplomacy  in  drawing  the  Savages  to  Fort 
Greenville  the  next  year,  away  from  the  British, 
and  to  the  most  important  of  treaties.  These  last, 
and  greatest,  acts  of  his  life  should  ever  be  re- 
spected as  invaluable  to  his  countrymen  inasmuch 
as  they  settled,  favorably  to  the  Union,  the  first 
very  grave  crisis  attending  the  country  west  of 
the  Allegheny  Mountains. 

» In  1809  his  son  Colonel  Isaac  Wayne  removed  his  re- 
mains from  Presque  Isle  (Erie,  Pennsylvania)  to  his  early 
home  at  Radnor,  Delaware  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  the 
Society  of  [the  Cincinnati  of  this  State  erected  a  modest 
marble  monument  to  mark  his  grave. 


From  1795-1798  151 

On  the  1 5th  of  August,  1796,  Winthrop  Sargent, 
Secretary  of  the  Northwestern  Territory,  pro- 
claimed at  Detroit  the  organization  of  Wayne 
County,  which  included,  in  addition  to  the  present 
State  of  Michigan,  the  country  west  of  the  Cuya- 
hoga  River  and  north  of  a  line  extending  from 
Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  to  the  south  part  of  Lake 
Michigan,  thence  in  a  northwesterly  direction  to 
embrace  the  Aborigine  settlements  on  the  western 
borders  of  this  lake  and  its  bays. 

Thus  was  brought  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States  for  the  first  time  this  extensive  and 
important  country  which  previously  had  been  (ex- 
cepting the  limited  influence  of  General  Wayne's 
forts)  actually  under  the  jurisdiction  of  County 
Kent  organized  in  Canada  in  1792;  but  during 
this  time,  as  previously,  it  was  practically  sub- 
ject to  the  commandant  of  the  garrison  at  Detroit, 
regardless  of  the  Treaty  of  Paris.  The  United 
States  Congress  contributed  to  this  lamentable 
condition  by  its  weak  efforts  for  protection;  from 
the  trade  considerations  of  some  of  its  members, 
and,  as  previously  mentioned,  from  the  opinion  of 
many  that  this  invaluable  region  could  not  be  gov- 
erned from  so  great  distance  from  New  York  or 
Philadelphia. 
The  United  States,  with  their  western  terri- 


1 52  The  Ohio  Country 

tones,  were,  however,  not  yet  free  from  trouble. 
The  Jay  Treaty  with  Great  Britain  was  considered 
by  France  as  an  alteration  and  suspension  of  her 
treaty  of  1778  with  the  United  States;  and  on 
August  19,  1796,  a  treaty  of  alliance,  offensive 
and  defensive,  was  concluded  between  France  and 
Spain.  This  at  once  led  to  some  overt  acts  by 
France  against  the  United  States  on  the  high  seas 
and  to  agents  of  Spain  and  France  again  becoming 
active  to  alienate  these  Northwestern  and  South- 
western Territories  from  the  East.  The  idea  of  a 
Western  Confederacy  was  again  advocated  by  a 
few  persons  in  Kentucky. 

There  was  again  sent  northward  from  the  Span- 
ish Governor-General  of  Louisiana  a  special  emis- 
sary in  the  person  of  Thomas  Power,  a  versatile 
Irishman  possessing  a  practical  knowledge  of  the 
English,  French,  and  Spanish  languages,  who  had 
previously  been  in  Kentucky  and  in  the  Ohio 
settlements  to  advance  the  interests  of  Spain  in 
the  Mississippi  Basin.  In  June,  1797,  he  again 
proceeded  to  Kentucky  and  addressed  influential 
persons  on  proposals  that  were,  "in  the  present 
uncertain  and  critical  attitude  of  politics,  highly 
imprudent  and  dangerous  to  lay  before  them  on 
paper,"  but  which  were,  in  effect,  that  if  they 
would  "immediately  exert  all  their  influence  in 


From  1795-1798  153 

impressing  on  the  minds  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  western  country  a  conviction  of  the  neces- 
sity of  their  withdrawing  and  separating  them- 
selves from  the  Federal  Union,  and  forming  an 
independent  government  wholly  independent  of 
that  of  the  Atlantic  States,"  they  would  be  well 
rewarded. 

"If  a  hundred  thousand  dollars  distributed  in 
Kentucky  would  cause  it  to  rise  in  insurrection,  I 
am  certain  that  the  minister,  in  the  present  circum- 
stances, would  sacrifice  them  with  pleasure;  and  you 
may,  without  exposing  yourself  too  much,  promise 
them  to  those  who  enjoy  the  confidence  of  the  people, 
with  another  sum,  in  case  of  necessity;  and  twenty 
pieces  of  field  artillery. " 

The  Spanish  forts  in  American  territory  by  the 
Mississippi  had  not  been  surrendered  to  the 
United  States  according  to  the  treaty  of  1795; 
and  it  was  reported  to  the  Secretary  of  State  by 
Winthrop  Sargent,  Secretary  of  the  Northwest 
Territory,  June  3,  1797,  that  General  Howard,  an 
Irishman  commissioned  by  Spain  as  Commander- 
in-Chief ,  had  arrived  at  St.  Louis  with  upwards  of 
three  hundred  men,  and  begun  the  erection  of  a 
formidable  fort;  that  a  large  party  of  Aborigines 
(Delawares)  on  their  way  to  reinforce  the  Spaniards 
had  passed  down  the  White  River,  tributary  of  the 


154  The  Ohio  Country 

Wabash,  the  first  week  in  May  bearing  a  Spanish 
flag.  Further,  that  the  Spanish  had,  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi above  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  several 
galley  boats  with  cannon. 

Thomas  Power  also  traversed  the  Maumee  Val- 
ley in  August,  on  his  way  to  Detroit  to  meet  Gen- 
eral Wilkinson,  General  Wayne's  successor,  and 
other  influential  men.  He  was  accompanied,  or 
soon  followed,  by  the  agents  of  France,  Victor  de 
Collot  and  M.  Warin,  who  sketched  maps  of  the 
rivers  and  country.  In  a  letter  from  Detroit  to 
Captain  Robert  Buntin  at  Vincennes,  dated  Sep- 
tember 4,  1797,  Wilkinson  mentions  having  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  the  Spanish  Governor, 

"stating  a  variety  of  frivolous  reasons  for  not  de- 
livering the  [American]  posts,  and  begs  that  no  more 
troops  be  sent  down  the  Mississippi.  I  have  put 
aside  all  his  exceptions,  and  have  called  on  him  in 
the  most  solemn  manner  to  fulfill  the  treaty.  .  .  . 
Although  Mr.  Power  has  brought  me  this  letter  it 
is  possible  it  might  be  a  mask  to  other  purposes;  I 
have  therefore,  for  his  accommodation  and  safety, 
put  him  in  care  of  Captain  Shaumburgh  who  will 
see  him  safe  to  New  Madrid  by  the  most  direct  route. 
I  pray  you  to  continue  your  vigilance,  and  give  me 
all  the  information  in  your  power. " 

France  refused  to  receive  the  American  Minister 
and  permitted  many  unwise  acts  of  her  citizens 


From  1795-1798  155 

while  the  government  instigated  others.  Congress 
also  was  now  deeply  stirred  to  action,  and  adopted 
measures  of  defence  and  retaliation;  authorizing 
the  formation  of  a  provisional  army,  about  twelve 
regiments  of  which  were  to  gather  at  Fort  Washing- 
ton where  boats  were  to  be  built  to  transport 
them  down  the  Mississippi;  commercial  inter- 
course with  France  was  suspended;  an  act  was 
passed  for  the  punishment  of  alien  and  secret  en- 
emies of  the  United  States;  and  for  the  punish- 
ment of  treason  and  sedition.  These  prompt 
actions  allayed  the  gathering  storm. 

The  Spaniards  of  the  Mississippi  feared  an  in- 
vasion by  the  British,  and  President  John  Adams 
ordered  General  Wilkinson  on  February  4,1798^0 
oppose  all  who  should  presume  to  attempt  a  vio- 
lation of  the  laws  of  the  territory  of  the  United 
States  by  an  expedition  through  it  against  their 
enemies.  This  implied  that  the  British  had  de- 
signs on  the  Spanish  colony,  by  way  of  the  Mau- 
mee  River  or  the  Illinois. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

ADVANCEMENT  OF  CIVIL  GOVERNMENT  AND 
EXTENSION  OF  THE  WEST 

Mississippi  Territory  Organized — General  Washington  again 
at  the  Head  of  the  Federal  Army — Spanish  Surrender 
their  Forts  in  United  States  Territory — First  Legislature 
of  Northwestern  Territory  Convenes — Indiana  Terri- 
tory Organized — Public  Lands — Connecticut  Cedes  her 
Claims  to  the  United  States — Religious  Missionaries — • 
Population — Continued  British  Usurpations — Evidences 
of  the  Rising  Power  of  the  United  States — Treaty  with 
France — Louisiana  Territory  Purchased — Development 
of  Communication — Military  Posts — Ohio  Admitted  as 
a  State — The  Aborigines — Additional  Treaties  with 
them — Fort  Industry  Built — Michigan  Territory  Organ- 
ized— Aaron  Burr's  Last  Scheme. 

TTHE  Territory  of  Mississippi  was  formed  by 
*  Congress  April  7,  1798,  and  Winthrop 
Sargent  was  nominated  and  approved  as  its 
Governor.  The  vacancy  of  Secretary  of  the 
Northwestern  Territory  thus  made,  was  filled 
June  26th  by  the  appointment  of  William  H. 
Harrison,  a  competent  and  rising  young  man. 

156 


From  1798-1807  157 

Ex- President  Washington,  July  2,  1798,  was 
chosen  Lieutenant-General  and  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  armies  raised  and  to  be  raised  for  the 
service.  There  was  little  to  be  done,  however, 
that  he  could  not  readily  delegate  to  his  sub- 
ordinates. 

During  this  summer,  the  Spanish  vacated  their 
forts  on  American  territory,  and,  the  5th  of 
October,  General  Wilkinson  took  up  headquarters 
at  Loftus  Heights,  where  Fort  Adams  was  soon 
built,  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Mississippi  about 
six  miles  north  of  the  3ist  degree  of  north  lati- 
tude, the  then  dividing  line  between  the  United 
States  and  Spanish  territory.  The  prompt  action 
of  the  United  States  against  intriguers  and  possi- 
ble emergencies  west  of  the  Alleghenies  showed 
renewed  interest  in  this  region,  and  a  spasmodic 
readiness  for  its  protection,  and  the  danger 
threatening  it  was  again  obviated  for  a  time. 

The  first  Legislature  for  the  Northwestern  Terri- 
tory convened  in  1799;  and  William  H.  Harrison 
was  chosen  the  first  Delegate,  or  Representative, 
of  this  Territory  to  the  United  States  Congress. 

The  difficulties  attending  the  organization  and 
maintenance  of  government  for  a  vast  extent  of 
country,  remote  from  officers  and  the  seat  of 
government,  had  long  been  felt,  and  now  became 


158  The  Ohio  Country 

the  subject  of  inquiry  by  Congress.     A  committee 
reported  March  3,   1800,  that: 

"In  the  three  western  counties  [each  then  equal 
in  size  to  a  present  State]  of  the  Northwest  Territory 
there  had  been  but  one  court  having  cognizance  of 
crimes  in  five  years ;  and  the  immunity  which  offenders 
experience,  attracts  as  to  an  asylum  the  most  vile 
and  abandoned  criminals,  and  at  the  same  time 
deters  useful  and  virtuous  persons  from  making 
settlements  in  such  society." 

Thereupon  provisions  were  made  for  the 
organization  of  Indiana  Territory.  William  H. 
Harrison  was  appointed  its  Governor,  and  the 
Ordinance  of  1787  was  to  apply  for  its  government. 

Four  Public  Land  Offices  were  established  in 
Ohio  Territory,  May  10,  1800.  The  desirability 
of  the  United  States  patent  for  settlers'  lands 
and  more  compactness  of  jurisdiction  became 
more  apparent  to  settlers  in  Connecticut's  Western 
Reserve.  Early  in  the  year  1800,  the  seekers  of 
homes  therein  numbered  about  one  thousand, 
mostly  near  Lake  Erie.  On  May  3oth,  the  Con- 
necticut Assembly  transferred  all  their  claimed 
rights  of  jurisdiction  to  the  United  States,  which 
action  placed  all  of  Ohio  Territory  upon  a  uniform 
land-title  basis.  This  further  conduced  to  the 
increase  in  the  former  Connecticut  Reserve  of 


From  1798-1807  159 

settlements,  which  now  extended  westward,  and 
occupied  the  eastern  part  of  lands  of  the  Abo- 
rigines, they  receiving  payment  therefor  from  the 
Connecticut  Land  Company. 

Civil  organizations  ensued;  and  the  second 
Protestant  religious  missionary  in  northern  Ohio 
was  sent  by  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society 
to  this  region  during  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
1800.  He  found,  however,  no  township  containing 
more  than  eleven  families. 

Near  the  close  of  the  year  1796,  the  number  of 
white  people  within  the  present  limits  of  Ohio 
was  recorded  as  about  five  thousand,  mostly 
settled  along  the  Ohio  River  and  its  tributaries 
within  fifty  miles.  The  second  United  States 
Census,  for  the  year  1800,  showed  the  population 
of  Ohio  Territory,  the  jurisdiction  of  which  then 
included  what  is  now  eastern  Michigan,  to  be 

45,365- 

The  commandant  of  the  British  garrison,  after 
its  removal  from  Detroit  to  its  new  Fort  Maiden, 
in  1796,  continued  to  ignore  the  line  of  United 
States  territory,  detachments  of  soldiers  being 
sent  across  it  at  the  pleasure  of  the  officials.  As 
late  as  October  20,  1800,  one  of  the  British 
officers  went  to  Detroit,  broke  into  a  private 
house,  and  arrested  Francis  Poquette,  using  such 


\ 


160  The  Ohio  Country 

violence  that  the  victim  soon  died  of  the  injuries 
he  then  received.  The  British  also  endeavored 
to  retain  their  former  influence  over  the  American 
Aborigines. 

The  rising  power  of  the  United  States  was  ap- 
parent, however,  in  the  organization,  develop- 
ment, and  control  of  this  western  country.  The 
courage  and  promptitude  more  recently  exhibited 
by  the  government  in  meeting  the  many  in- 
trigues and  aggressions  of  the  Aborigines,  the 
French,  Spanish,  and  of  the  unduly  ambitious 
Americans,  had  allayed  visionary  and  chimerical 
schemes,  and  given  impetus  and  more  stability  to 
the  western  settlements. 

The  threatened  war  with  France  was  happily 
allayed,  and,  September  3oth,  1800,  a  treaty  with 
that  power  was  consummated.  The  ambitions 
held  by  Spain  for  a  number  of  years  to  possess 
this  region  were  also  defeated,  and  on  October 
ist,  1800,  she  secretly  ceded  Louisiana  back  to 
France  after  an  ownership  of  thirty-eight  years. 

Nor  did  Napoleon's  idea  of  a  New  France  pre- 
vail; but  rather  that  wise  decision  of  President 
Jefferson  and  Congress  for  the  purchase  by  the 
United  States,  April  30,  1803,  of  that  vast  do- 
main styled  the  Louisiana  Purchase.  Thus  was 
removed  by  one  master  act  all  objections  to 


From  1798-1807  161 

Americans  navigating  the  Mississippi  River  and 
trading  throughout  its  course.  This  purchase  also 
quieted  the  long-continued  agitations,  both  do- 
mestic and  foreign,  for  a  western  republic,  in- 
tended by  its  instigators  as  an  easier  means  for 
foreign  possession  of  the  country.1 

Attention  was  now  given  to  roads,  that  is  the 
cutting  of  roadways;  to  post-offices,  and  to  better 
means  of  communication. 

In  the  United  States  "Estimate  of  all  Posts 
and  Stations  where  Garrisons  will  be  expedient, 
and  of  the  Number  of  Men  requisite,"  made 
December  3,  1801,  but  three  military  posts  were 
mentioned  for  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio 
River,  viz.:  Michilimackinac,  one  company  of 
artillery  and  one  of  infantry;  Detroit,  one  com- 
pany of  artillery  and  four  of  infantry;  Fort 

1  Eastern  legislators,  remnants  of  the  Federalists,  who  were 
lukewarm  about,  or  opposed  to,  protecting  the  Ohio  Country, 
and  at  times  even  in  favor  of  giving  it  away,  were  much  ex- 
cited by  the  suggestion  of  purchasing  Louisiana.  Plumer, 
of  New  Hampshire,  warned  the  Senate  in  this  wise:  "Admit 
this  western  world  into  the  Union,  and  you  destroy  at  once 
the  weight  and  importance  of  the  eastern  States,  and  compel 
them  to  establish  a  separate  independent  empire.  "  Griswold, 
of  Connecticut,  argued  in  the  House  that  "The  vast  un- 
manageable extent  which  the  accession  of  Louisiana  will 
give  to  the  United  States,  the  consequent  dispersion  of  our 
population,  and  the  distribution  of  the  balance  which  it  is  so 
important  to  maintain  between  the  eastern  and  western 
States,  threatens,  at  no  very  distant  day,  the  subversion  of 
our  Union. " 


162  The  Ohio  Country 

Wayne,  one  company  of  infantry.  In  the  Act 
of  Congress,  March,  1802,  for  Reduction  of  the 
Army,  Fort  Wayne  was  styled  a  "frontier  post 
with  garrison  of  sixty-four  men."  In  the  year 
1803  this  fort  had  garrison  of  fifty-one  men,  viz.: 
one  captain,  one  surgeon's  mate,  one  first  and 
one  second  lieutenant,  one  ensign,  four  sergeants, 
four  corporals,  three  musicians,  and  thirty-five 
privates. 

Since  the  opinion  on  March  4,  1802,  was  that 
Ohio  Territory  contained  a  population  of  at  least 
sixty  thousand  people,  and  the  Congressional 
Committee  on  this  Territory  having  reported 
favorably,  Congress,  April  3oth,  voted  to  call  a  con- 
vention of  representatives  of  the  Territory  meeting 
November  ist,  to  frame  a  Constitution  for  the 
proposed  State  of  Ohio.  The  Constitution  was 
agreed  upon  and  signed  with  commendable 
promptness,  being  completed  November  2pth; 
and  on  February  19,  1803,  Ohio  was  admitted 
to  the  Union  as  a  State,  the  fourth  under  the 
general  Constitution,  and  the  seventeenth  in 
general  number. 

After  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  in  1795,  the 
Aborigines,  for  a  short  time,  remained  reasonably 
contented  with  the  United  States  annuity  pay- 
ments to  them,  and  with  the  amount  they  received 


From  1798-1807  163 

for  the  peltries  obtained  by  their  hunting  and 
trapping.  They  also  received  many  gratuities 
from  the  white  settlers  among  whom  they  wan- 
dered, entering  dwellings  at  will  and  without 
ceremony;  and  they  were  generally  treated  with 
kindly  consideration  by  the  white  people  not- 
withstanding their  want  of  regard  for  individual 
rights  in  property  desired  by  them.  It  became 
more  and  more  apparent,  however,  that  British 
influence  was  yet  being  exerted  among  them  and 
causing  discontent  to  be  fostered  among  the 
several  tribes,  notwithstanding  their  continued 
trading  of  furs  to  the  British,  and  their  spending 
the  money  received  from  the  United  States  freely 
with  them. 

Governor  Harrison,  who  was  also  Superin- 
tendent of  Aborigine  Affairs  for  Indiana  Terri- 
tory, completed  at  Fort  Wayne,  June  7,  1803,  the 
treaty  that  was  begun  September  17,  1802,  at 
Vincennes,  in  which  the  Eel  River,  Kaskaskia, 
Kickapoo,  Miami,  Piankishaw,  Pottawotami,  and 
Wea  tribes  formally  deeded  to  the  United  States 
the  lands  around  Vincennes  which  had  previously 
been  bought  of  the  other  tribes;  and  this  act 
was  further  confirmed  at  Vincennes  the  7th  of 
August  by  yet  other  chiefs.  On  August  i3th 
the  Illinois  tribes  deeded  to  the  United  States 


164  The  Ohio  Country 

a  large  portion  of  the  country  south  and  east 
of  the  Illinois  River. 

On  August  13,  1804,  Governor  Harrison  pur- 
chased for  the  United  States  the  claims  of  the 
Delawares  to  the  land  between  the  Wabash  and 
Ohio  rivers.  He  also  purchased  of  the  Pianki- 
shaws  their  claims  to  lands  deeded  to  the  United 
States  by  the  Kaskaskias  in  1803.  Also  by  treaty 
and  purchase,  the  claims  of  the  several  tribes  to 
large  areas  of  lands  farther  west  were  extinguished. 

Fort  Industry  was  built  in  1804  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  lower  Maumee  River,  at  the  mouth  of 
Swan  Creek,  for  protection  in  various  ways,  and 
for  the  convenience  of  the  commissioners  who, 
July  4,  1805,  there  effected  an  important  treaty 
with  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Wyandot, 
Ottawa,  Chippewa,  Munsee,  Delaware,  Shawnee, 
and  Pottawotami  tribes,  and  those  of  the  Shaw- 
nees  and  Senecas  who  lived  with  the  Wyandots 
at  this  time,  all  of  whom  ceded  to  the  United 
States  their  entire  claims  to  the  Western  Reserve 
of  Connecticut,  for,  and  in  consideration  of,  an 
annuity  of  one  thousand  dollars,  in  addition  to 
sixteen  thousand  dollars  paid  to  them  by  the 
Connecticut  Land  Company  and  the  proprietors 
of  the  half  million  acres  of  Sufferers'  Lands  (Fire- 
lands,  lands  granted  to  those  who  suffered  by  fire 


From  1798-1807  165 

in  Connecticut  by  acts  of  the  British  during  the 
Revolutionary  War).  The  small  stockade  com- 
posing Fort  Industry  was  abandoned  by  the 
United  States  soon  after  this  treaty, 

Further,  a  treaty  with,  and  an  annuity  to,  the 
dissatisfied  Pottawotami,  Miami,  Eel  River,  and 
Wea  Aborigines  near  Vincennes,  August  21,  1805, 
induced  them  to  relinquish  their  claims  to  the 
southeastern  part  of  Indiana,  which  was  also 
bought  from  the  Delawares  by  the  United  States 
on  August  18,  1804.  These  several  treaties  and 
purchases,  of  1803,  '04,  '05,  including  yet  another 
with  the  Piankishaws  on  December  30,  1805, 
extinguished  several  times  over  all  alleged  right 
of  claim  to  these  lands  by  the  Aborigines,  not  to 
mention  in  this  connection  the  purchases  and 
payments  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

Michigan  was  organized  into  a  separate  Terri- 
tory by  Congress  January  n,  1805,  the  new 
government  to  go  into  effect  June  3oth.  General 
William  Hull  was  appointed  its  Governor. 

Aaron  Burr  journeyed,  and  rejourneyed,  through 
the  West  and  Southwest  during  the  years  1805  and 
1806,  and  rumors  became  rife  of  his  preparations 
to  invade  and  conquer  Mexico,  and  to  create  a 
western  republic  of  which  the  country  west  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains  was  to  form  a  part.  The 


1 66  The  Ohio  Country 

Legislature  of  Ohio  ordered,  the  first  part  of 
December,  1806,  the  seizure  of  fourteen  boats  and 
supplies  at  Marietta,  on  the  Ohio  River,  which 
were  about  ready  to  start  down  the  rivers  in  aid 
of  Burr's  scheme.  Burr  was  arrested  January 
17,  1807,  and  was  released  on  bail,  which  he 
forfeited.  He  was  again  arrested  while  endeavor- 
ing to  escape,  was  subjected  to  trial  at  Richmond, 
Virginia,  and  was  acquitted.  Thus  failed  'the 
fourth  and  weakest  effort  to  wrest  this  western 
region  from  the  United  States. 

During  these  years  of  scheming  by  restless, 
designing  persons,  and  of  apprehension  by  the 
government,  there  was  considerable  strengthen- 
ing by  the  United  States  of  the  garrisons  of  Forts 
Washington,  Wayne,  and  Detroit;  and  prepara- 
tions were  made  for  their  active  service.  The 
increasing  aggressions  of  the  British,  and  the 
conduct  of  Aaron  Burr,  were  reasons  for  this 
military  activity. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

CONSPIRACY  OF  THE  BRITISH,   TECUMSEH,   AND  THE 
PROPHET 

Further  Treaties  with,  and  Payments  to,  the  Aborigines 
— The  British  Continue  Meddlesome — Reservations — 
United  States  Settlers  by  the  Lower  Maumee  River — 
Land  for  Highways  Treated  for — Illinois  Territory 
Organized — Another  British-Savage  Trouble  Gathering 
— Trading  Posts  for  the  Aborigines  Established — Re- 
ports of  Gathering  Trouble  from  United  States  Military 
Posts — The  British  Continue  to  Trade  Intoxicating 
Liquors  to  American  Aborigines  in  Opposition  to  Law. 

January  27,  1807,  Henry  Dearborn,  Secre- 
tary  of  War,  sent  a  commission  to  William 
Hull,  Governor  of  Michigan  Territory,  and  Super- 
intendent of  Aborigine  Affairs  there,  with  instruc- 
tions to  hold  a  treaty  council  with  the  Aborigines, 
who  were  becoming  very  restless  and  aggressive. 
Governor  Hull  issued  a  call  to  the  different  tribes 
for  a  council  at  Detroit;  but  the  Aborigines  did 
not  attend.  Two  other  calls  were  sent  to  them, 
and  President  Jefferson  directed  him  to  com- 

167 


1 68  The  Ohio  Country 

municate  to  them  the  continued  friendly  inten- 
tions and  offices  of  the  United  States.  The  sequel 
proved  that  their  desires  to  respond  to  the  invita- 
tions to  council  had  been  thwarted  by  Captain 
Alexander  McKee,  the  British  agent.  Finally, 
they  evaded  McKee  and  his  aids,  and  went  to 
Detroit  for  council,  in  which  they  proclaimed  the 
intrigue  of  the  British  to  again  more  closely  ally 
them  to  their  aid  "for  the  war  likely  to  ensue 
with  the  United  States." 

Between  seven  and  eight  hundred  Aborigines 
had  been  invited  to  Maiden,  now  Amherstburg, 
where  intoxicating  beverages  and  promises  pre- 
vailed. During  October  and  November  many 
hundreds  of  these  Aborigines  were  unavoidably 
fed  at  Detroit  by  Governor  Hull,  while  on  their 
way  to  and  from  the  British  Fort  Maiden  in- 
fluence, and  also  during  the  council,  notwith- 
standing the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
that  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  was  as  great  a 
number  as  ought  to  be  allowed  to  attend. 

A  prominent  feature  of  this  council  with  Gover- 
nor Hull,  and  one  that  was  remembered  and 
repeated  by  the  Aborigines,  was  the  expression  of 
President  Jefferson  that  the  Aborigines  should 
remain  quiet  spectators  and  not  participate  in 
the  quarrels  of  others,  particularly  those  of  the 


From  1807-1809  169 

white  people;  and  that  the  United  States  was 
strong  enough  to  fight  its  own  battles;  and 
that  it  was  evidence  of  weakness  on  the  part  of 
any  people  to  want  the  aid  of  the  Aborigines. 

Finally,  at  Detroit,  November  17,  1807,  a 
treaty  was  effected  with  the  Chippewa,  Ottawa, 
Pottawotami,  and  Wyandot  tribes  in  which  they 
deeded  to  the  United  States  all  their  claims  to 
the  country  north  of  the  middle  of  the  Maumee 
River,  from  its  mouth  in  Maumee  Bay  and  Lake 
Erie,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Auglaize  River;  thence 
extending  north  to  the  latitude  of  the  south  part 
of  Lake  Huron,  thence  east  to  and  southward 
along  the  Canadian  boundary.  For  their  claim 
to  this  territory,  as  in  all  former  treaties  and 
transfers,  they  were  well  paid,  receiving  ten 
thousand  dollars  in  money  and  goods  as  first  pay- 
ment, and  were  to  receive  an  annuity  of  two 
thousand  and  four  hundred  dollars.  They  were 
given,  also,  the  option  of  money,  goods,  imple- 
ments of  husbandry,  and  domestic  animals,  from 
which  to  choose.  Of  these  sums  the  Chippewas 
received  one  third,  the  Ottawas  one  third,  and 
the  Pottawotamis  and  Wyandots  each  one  sixth. 
This  treaty  further  informed  them  that 

"the  United  States,  'to  manifest  their  liberality,  and 
disposition  to  encourage  the  said  Aborigines  in  agri- 


170  The  Ohio  Country 

culture,  further  stipulate  to  furnish  the  said  Aborig- 
ines with  two  blacksmiths  during  the  term  of  ten 
years,  one  to  reside  with  the  Chippewas  at  Saginaw, 
and  the  other  to  reside  with  the  Ottawas  at  the 
Maumee  [presumably  at  the  mouth  of  the  Auglaize]. 
Said  blacksmiths  are  to  do  such  work  for  the  said 
nations  as  shall  be  most  useful  to  them." 

The  principal  object  of  this  treaty  and  purchase 
was  to  keep  the  Aborigines  as  far  from  the  British 
as  possible.  As  in  former  treaties,  however, 
the  Aborigines  were  to  have  the  privilege  of 
hunting  for  game  animals  on  the  ceded  lands 
as  long  as  the  lands  remained  the  distinctive 
property  of  the  United  States,  and  during  the 
good  behavior  of  the  Aborigines. 

Certain  tracts  of  this  land  were  also  reserved 
for  the  exclusive  use  of  certain  prominent  Aborig- 
ines, viz.:  Six  miles  square  on  the  north  bank  of 
the  Maumee  above  Roche  de  Bout  "to  include 
the  village  where  Tondagame  [Tontogany],  or  the 
dog,  now  lives  "  (probably  near  the  present  Grand 
Rapids,  Ohio).  Another  reservation  for  them 
was 

"three  miles  square  above  the  twelve  miles  square 
ceded  to  the  United  States  at  the  Treaty  of  Green- 
ville, including  what  is  called  Presque  Isle  [on  left 
bank  of  Maumee  River  below  the  present  Waterville]; 
also  four  miles  square  on  the  Miami  [Maumee]  Bay, 


From  1807-1809  171 

including  the  villages  where  Meshkemau  and  Waugau 
now  live.  ...  It  is  further  understood  and  agreed, 
that  whenever  the  reservations  cannot  conveniently 
be  laid  out  in  squares,  they  shall  be  laid  out  in  parallel- 
ograms or  other  figures  as  found  most  practicable  and 
convenient,  so  as  to  obtain  the  area  specified  in  miles; 
and  in  all  cases  they  are  to  be  located  in  such  manner 
and  in  such  situations  as  not  to  interfere  with  any 
improvements  of  the  French  or  other  white  people, 
or  any  former  cession." 

American  settlers  continued  to  gather  in  Ohio, 
and  some  took  residence  on  these  United  States 
Reservations  at  the  Foot  of  the  Rapids  of  the 
Maumee.  The  necessity  for  roads  to  connect  the 
settlements  in  Ohio  with  those  in  Michigan  be- 
coming more  apparent,  Governor  Hull  was  directed 
to  secure  cession  of  lands  for  such  roads  from  the 
Aborigines.  Accordingly,  at  Brownstown,  Michi- 
gan, November  25,  1808,  a  treaty  was  held  with 
the  sachems,  chiefs,  and  warriors  of  the  Chippewa, 
Ottawa,  Pottawotami,  Shawnee,  and  Wyandot 
tribes,  in  which  they  quit-claimed  a  tract  of  land, 
one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  in  width,  for  a  road 
from  the  foot  of  the  lowest  rapids  of  the  Maumee 
River  eastward  to  the  western  line  of  the  Con- 
necticut Reserve;  also  all  the  land  within  one 
mile  of  each  side  of  this  roadway  for  the  settlement 
of  white  people: 


172  The  Ohio  Country 

"Also  a  tract  of  land  for  road  only,  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  feet  in  width  to  run  southwardly  from 
what  is  called  Lower  Sandusky  [now  Fremont,  Ohio] 
to  the  boundary  line  established  by  the  Treaty  of 
Greenville;  with  the  privilege  of  taking,  at  all  times, 
such  timber  and  other  materials  from  the  adjacent 
lands  as  may  be  necessary  for  making  and  keeping  in 
repair  the  said  road,  with  the  bridges  that  may  be 
required  along  the  same." 

No  compensation  was  given  the  Aborigines  in 
money  or  merchandise  for  these  roadways,  as 
"they  were  desirable  and  beneficial  to  the  Abo- 
rigine nations  as  well  as  to  the  United  States," 
reads  a  clause  in  the  deed  of  quit-claim. 

Indiana  Territory,  from  its  organization  in 
1802,  had  extended  to  the  Mississippi  River. 
The  settlements  had  increased  to  such  numbers, 
however,  that  the  "Illinois  Country"  was  or- 
ganized into  Illinois  Territory,  February  3,  1809. 

For  several  years,  the  Aborigines  had  mani- 
fested an  increasing  restlessness,  which  was 
attributed  by  Captain  Dunham  and  other  Ameri- 
can officers  to  the  influence  of  the  British  who 
were  trading  among  them,  and  those  at  Fort 
Maiden  where  they  received  supplies. 

The  idea  first  taught  to  the  Savages  by  the 
early  French,  in  opposition  to  the  British,  first 
exploited  by  Pontiac  in  1763  against  the  British, 


From  1807-1809  173 

and  then  amplified  with  greater  force  by  the 
British  among  the  Savages  against  the  Americans 
from  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War — 
of  a  confederation  of  all  the  tribes,  and  that  all 
lands  should  be  claimed  by  them  collectively, 
and  that  no  claims  should  be  disposed  of,  nor 
any  advance  of  the  Americans  upon  the  lands  be 
permitted — was  being  revived,  and  again  urged 
before  the  Aborigines  by  the  British  and  a  few 
Frenchmen  in  their  interest.  In  1805  Tecumseh, 
an  energetic  Shawnee  brave,  began  therefrom  to 
repeat  the  history  of  Pontiac,  the  Americans 
being  the  people  conspired  against. 

The  increasing  purchases  of  claims  by  the 
United  States  were  for  the  purpose  of  getting  the 
Aborigines  farther  from  British  influence,  and 
getting  American  settlers  between  them  and  the 
British.  The  object  of  getting  the  Aborigines  on 
small  tracts  of  land  was  that  they  might  be  led 
away  from  their  roaming,  hunting  habits,  and 
thereby  be  easier  led  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
into  closer  sympathy  with  Americans;  but  these 
worthy  objects  and  acts  in  their  interests  were 
reacting  against  the  Americans. 

With  the  rapid  increase  of  settlers  on  the  lands 
purchased,  and  their  beginning  to  clear  away  the 
forest;  the  organization  of  territories,  states,  and 


174  The  Ohio  Country 

counties,  with  their  courts  and  closer  govern- 
ment, came  the  exciting  of  apprehension  among 
the  lawless  traders,  agents,  and  loungers  in  the 
camps  of  the  Aborigines,  the  chronically  meddle- 
some British,  from  trade  interests  at  least,  inciting 
them  to  renewed  intrigues. 

Tecumseh's  reputed  brother  Elskwatawa  had 
recently  removed  with  other  Shawnees  from  the 
Scioto  River,  Ohio,  to  the  Tippecanoe  River, 
Indiana,  where  he  soon  gained  something  of  a 
notoriety  as  a  sorcerer.  He  began  to  tell  of  his 
dreams  and  visions,  and  to  claim  the  knowledge 
and  power  of  a  prophet  inspired  and  commissioned 
by  the  Great  Spirit  to  lead  the  Aborigines  back 
to  the  condition  of  their  ancestors  before  the 
coming  of  the  Americans.  All  of  this  chicanery 
forcibly  appealed  to  the  younger  Aborigines  and 
warriors,  who  were  ever  ready  to  embrace  any 
superstition  or  act  offering  exploitation.  The 
remarkable  pretensions  of  Elskwatawa  spread 
from  the  Shawnee  town  by  the  Tippecanoe  River 
to  other  and  distant  tribes,  being  carried  by 
runners,  including  Tecumseh,  who  travelled  rapidly 
from  tribe  to  tribe  between  Lake  Erie  and  the 
Mississippi  River,  and  from  the  upper  lakes  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

These   actions   of   Tecumseh,   the    "Prophet," 


From  1807-1809  175 

and  many  of  the  younger  Aborigines  who  were 
anxious  for  any  new  movement  promising  excite- 
ment, were  understood  by  Governor  Harrison  as 
a  concerted  effort  to  marshal  the  Aborigines  as 
British  allies  again  against  the  United  States. 

Since  the  campaign  of  General  Wayne  a  new 
generation  of  young  Aborigines,  fed  from  the 
rations  supplied  to  their  parents  by  the  United 
States,  had  developed  into  warriors  anxious  for 
excitement  and  ready  at  short  notice  to  follow 
any  leader  whose  project  appeared  probable  to 
gratify  their  savage  impulses. 

Letters  were  soon  received  by  the  Secretary  of 
War,  from  the  several  military  posts  throughout 
the  western  country,  regarding  the  increasing 
hostility  of  the  Aborigines,  and  their  threatenings 
to  exterminate  Americans,  also  of  their  being 
aided  by  the  British. 

General  William  Clark  wrote  from  St.  Louis, 
April  5,  1809,  that  the  "Prophet's  emissaries" 
had  been  industriously  employed,  during  the 
latter  part  of  the  winter  and  spring,  privately 
councilling  with,  and  attempting  to  seduce  to  war 
against  the  frontier  settlements,  the  Kickapoos, 
Saukeys,  and  other  bands  by  the  Mississippi  and 
Illinois  rivers. 

Captain  William  Wells  wrote  from  Fort  Wayne, 


176  The  Ohio  Country 

the  8th  of  April,  that  the  Aborigines  appeared  to 
be  agitated  respecting  the  conduct,  and  as  they 
said  the  intentions,  of  the  Shawnee  Prophet. 

"The  Chippewas,  Ottawas,  and  Pottawotamis  are 
hurrying  away  from  him,  and  say  that  their  reason 
for  so  doing  is  because  he  has  told  them  to  receive  the 
tomahawk  from  him  and  destroy  all  the  white  people 
at  Vincennes  and  Ohio,  as  low  down  as  the  mouth  of 
the  Ohio  and  as  high  up  as  Cincinnati;  that  the  Great 
Spirit  had  directed  that  they  should  do  so,  at  the  same 
time  threatening  them  with  destruction  if  they  re- 
fused to  comply  with  what  he  proposed." 

General  Clark  wrote  from  St.  Louis,  April  3oth: 

"I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  copy  of  a  letter 
which  confirms  my  suspicions  of  the  British  inter- 
ference with  our  Indian  affairs  in  this  country.  The 
following  is  an  extract  from  the  letter  from  Boilvin: 
'  .  .  .  I  am  at  present  in  the  fire  receiving  Aborigine 
news  every  day.  A  chief  of  the  Puant  nation  appears 
to  be  employed  by  the  British  to  get  all  the  nations 
of  Aborigines  to  Maiden  to  see  their  fathers  the 
British,  who  tell  them  that  they  pity  them  in  their 
situation  with  the  Americans,  because  the  Amer- 
icans had  taken  their  lands  and  their  game;  that 
they  must  join  and  send  them  off  from  their  lands. 
They  said  they  had  but  one  father  that  had  helped 
them  in  their  misfortunes,  and  that  they  should 
assemble,  defend  their  father,  and  keep  their  lands.' 
It  appears  that  four  English  subjects  have  been  at 
Riviere  a  la  Roche  this  winter  in  disguise ;  they  have 


From  1807-1809  177 

been  there  to  get  the  nations  together  and  send  them 
on  the  American  frontiers. " 

Governor  Harrison  wrote  from  Vincennes,  May 
3,  1809,  of  his  "decided  opinion  that  the  Prophet 
will  attack  our  settlements.  About  eight  days 
ago  he  had  with  him  about  three  hundred  and 
fifty  warriors  well  armed  with  rifles;  they  have 
also  bows  and  arrows,  war  clubs,  and  a  kind  of 
spear." 

The  Factor  (Agent)  of  the  American  Trading 
Post  at  Sandusky,  S.  Tupper,  wrote,  June  7th, 
that,  "the  conduct  of  the  British  traders  in  intro- 
ducing spirituous  liquors  among  the  Aborigines 
in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  their  determined 
hostility  to  the  measures  of  our  Government, 
have  long  been  subjects  of  complaint;  and  their 
infamous  stories  have  embarrassed  our  opera- 
tions." 

Governor  Hull  wrote  from  Detroit,  June  i6th, 
that,  "the  influence  of  the  Prophet  has  been 
great,  and  his  advice  to  the  Aborigines  injurious 
to  them  and  to  the  United  States.  We  have  the 
fullest  evidence  that  his  object  has  been  to  form 
a  combination  of  them  in  hostility  to  the  United 
States.  The  powerful  influence  of  the  British 
has  been  exerted  in  a  way  alluring  to  the  savage 
character." 


1 78  The  Ohio  Country 

Complaints  also  came  to  the  Secretary  of  War 
that  British  agents  were  inciting  the  Aborigines 
along  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  and 
supplying  them  with  guns  and  ammunition. 

General  Harrison  wrote  from  Vincennes,  July 
5th,  that 

"The  Shawnee  Prophet  and  about  forty  followers 
arrived  here  about  a  week  ago.  He  denies  most 
strenuously  any  participation  in  the  late  combination 
to  attack  our  settlements.  ...  I  must  confess  that 
my  suspicions  of  his  guilt  have  been  rather  strength- 
ened than  diminished  at  each  interview  I  have  had 
with  him  since  his  arrival.  He  acknowledged  that 
he  received  an  invitation  to  war  against  us  from  the 
British  last  fall,  and  that  he  was  apprised  of  the 
intention  of  the  Sacs,  Foxes,  etc.,  early  in  the  spring, 
and  was  warmly  solicited  to  join  in  their  league.  .  .  . 
The  result  of  all  my  enquiries  on  the  subject  is,  that 
the  late  combination  was  produced  by  British  in- 
trigue and  influence  in  anticipation  of  war  between 
them  and  the  United  States.  It  was,  however, 
premature  and  ill-judged." 

Governor  Harrison,  in  council  with  Aborigines 
at  Fort  Wayne,  September  30,  1809,  succeeded, 
however,  in  further  purchasing  their  claims  to 
two  tracts  of  land  in  Indiana  Territory  west  of 
the  Greenville  treaty  line  and  adjoining  former 
purchases,  the  stipulated  price  being  permanent 
annuities  of  five  hundred  dollars  to  the  Dela wares, 


From  1807-1809  179 

five  hundred  dollars  to  the  Miamis,  two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  to  the  Eel  River  Miamis, 
and  five  hundred  to  the  Pottawotamis.  The 
Miamis,  by  separate  article  of  same  date,  as 
additional  compensation,  were  promised  that  at 
Fort  Wayne  the  next  spring,  they  would  receive 
domestic  animals  to  the  value  of  five  hundred 
dollars,  and  a  like  number  for  the  two  following 
years;  and  that  an  armorer  should  be  also  main- 
tained at  Fort  Wayne  for  the  use  of  the  Aborigines 
as  heretofore.  In  treaty  with  the  Kickapoos  at 
Vincennes,  December  gth,  Governor  Harrison 
purchased  claims  to  land  northwest  of  the  Wabash 
River,  adjoining  the  Vincennes  tract,  the  con- 
sideration being  a  permanent  annuity  of  four 
hundred  dollars,  and  goods  to  the  amount  of  eight 
hundred  dollars.  By  this  last  treaty  the  Miamis 
were  to  receive  a  further  annuity  of  two  hundred 
dollars,  and  the  Eel  River  tribes  or  bands  one 
hundred  dollars  each. 


CHAPTER  XV 

RESULTS    OF   FURTHER   REMISSNESS   OF  THE 
GOVERNMENT 

Regarding  Trading  Posts  or  Agencies — Conspiracy  of  the 
British  and  Tecumseh  Deepens — Reports  from  Military 
Posts — Battle  of  Tippecanoe — Continued  Organization 
and  Depredations  by  the  Allied  Enemies  of  the  United 
States — Missouri  Territory  Organized — More  Cannibal- 
ism by  the  Savages. 

TRADING  Agencies  had  been  established 
among  the  Aborigine  tribes  several  years 
after,  and  according  to,  the  suggestions  of  General 
Wayne,  after  the  treaty  of  Greenville  in  1795. 
The  report  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  December 
31,  1809,  of  J.  Mason,  Superintendent  of  these 
Agencies,  styled  Factories,  possesses  features  of 
interest  in  this  connection.  There  were  at  this 
date  twelve  establishments  of  this  character, 
eight  of  which  were  in  the  South  and  Southwest, 
viz.:  Fort  Hawkins,  Georgia;  Chickasaw  Bluffs, 

Mississippi  Territory;  Fort  St.  Stephens  by  the 

180 


From  1809-1812  181 

Mobile  River;  Fort  Osage  by  the  Missouri  River; 
Fort  Madison  by  the  upper  Mississippi  River; 
Natchitoches  by  the  Red  River  of  the  South ;  Fort 
Wayne  at  the  head  of  the  Maumee  River;  Chicago 
at  the  southwestern  part  of  Lake  Michigan, 
established  in  1805;  Sandusky,  Ohio,  established 
in  1806;  Detroit,  established  in  1802,  and  dis- 
continued in  1805  on  account  of  its  nearness  to 
the  British  supply  house  at  Fort  Maiden;  and 
the  Agency  at  Michilimackinac,  established  in 
1808. 

The  net  assets  of  these  Agencies  or  Factories 
at  the  close  of  the  year  1809  was  $235,461.64. 
The  amount  of  appropriations  at  the  close  of 
1811  was  $300,000  exclusive  of  officers'  salaries, 
which  then  amounted  to  about  $35,000  annually. 
From  1807  to  1811  inclusive,  the  profit  was 
$14,171.  The  southern  Factories  reported  losses, 
principally  on  account  of  the  greater  difficulty 
of  communication. 

Details  of  but  one  of  these  Factories  will  be 
given.  The  principal  one,  at  Fort  Wayne,  was 
organized  in  1802.  Colonel  John  Johnston  was 
the  Factor  in  1809,  with  salary  of  $1000  per 
year,  and  subsistence  allowance  of  $365.  Wil- 
liam Oliver,  his  clerk,  received  salary  of  $250 
a  year  and  $150  for  subsistence.  The  inventory 


1 82  The  Ohio  Country 

of  October  5th  showed:  Merchandise,  Peltries, 
etc.,  on  hand,  $5,020.75;  Accounts  Receivable, 
per  return  of  March,  $2,112.72;  Buildings,  esti- 
mated at  about  one  half  of  cost,  $500.  Mer- 
chandise forwarded  by  the  government  to  Fort 
Wayne,  July  28th,  and  not  included  in  the  above 
amounted  to  $4,686.87. 

The  peltries  taken  in  exchange  for  merchandise 
at  these  Trading  Houses  were:  beaver,  first 
quality,  two  dollars  each,  second  quality,  one 
dollar;  dressed  deer  skins,  one  dollar  and  fifty 
cents;  wolf  skins,  one  dollar;  muskrat,  raccoon, 
wildcat,  and  fox  skins,  twenty-five  cents  each; 
otter,  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents;  bear,  first  quality, 
one  dollar  and  fifty  cents,  second  quality,  one 
dollar.  Tallow,  twelve  and  a  half  cents  a  pound, 
and  beeswax  at  twenty  cents  also  entered  into 
the  accounts. 

The  British  continued,  however,  to  command 
most  of  the  beaver  and  other  of  the  best  fur  trade. 

Tecumseh  and  the  Prophet  continued  active. 
The  additional  councils  and  purchases  of  claims 
to  land  at  Fort  Wayne  and  Vincennes  were  alleged 
as  new  incentives.  General  Harrison  wrote  to 
the  Secretary  of  War,  June  14,  1810,  that: 

"I  have  received  information  from  various  sources 
which  has  produced  entire  conviction  in  my  mind, 


From  1809-1812  183 

that  the  Prophet  is  organizing  a  most  extensive 
combination  against  the  United  States."  Another 
letter,  dated  the  26th  of  June,  informs  that :  "  Winemac 
[a  friendly  Aborigine]  assured  me  that  the  Prophet 
not  long  since  proposed  to  the  young  men  to  murder 
the  principal  chiefs  of  all  the  tribes;  observing  that 
their  hands  would  never  be  untied  until  this  was 
effected ;  that  these  were  the  men  who  had  sold  their 
lands,  and  who  would  prevent  opposing  the  encroach- 
ments of  the  white  people.  An  Iowa  Indian  informs 
me  that  two  years  ago  this  summer  an  agent  from 
the  British  arrived  at  the  Prophet's  town  and,  in 
his  presence,  delivered  a  message  with  which  he  was 
charged,  the  substance  of  which  was  to  urge  the 
Prophet  to  unite  as  many  tribes  as  he  could  against 
the  United  States,  but  not  to  commence  hostilities 
until  they  gave  the  signal. "  * 

On  July  11,  1810,  General  Harrison  again 
wrote  that: 

"I  have  received  a  letter  from  Fort  Wayne  which 
confirms  the  information  of  the  hostile  designs  and 
combination  of  the  Indians.  The  people  in  the 

1  The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  in  this  connection  the 
strained  relations  of  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain 
which  had  existed  since  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  which 
frequently  received  fresh  incentives  from  the  impressment 
of  American  seamen,  the  searchings  of  American  ships,  the 
unjust  discriminations  in  trade,  as  well  as  overt  acts  in  this 
western  country.  The  continued  arrogance  and  aggressive- 
ness of  the  British  in  Canada,  with  their  efforts  to  control 
the  Savages  throughout  the  United  States,  show  that  the 
British  ulterior  designs  on  this  western  country  remained 
unabated. 


1 84  The  Ohio  Country 

neighborhood  where  the  horses  were  stolen  are  so 
much  alarmed  that  they  are  collecting  together  for 
their  defense." 

Again  on  July  i8th: 

"From  the  lowas  I  learn  that  the  Sacs  and  Foxes 
have  actually  received  the  tomahawk  and  are  ready 
to  strike  whenever  the  Prophet  gives  the  signal.  A 
considerable  number  of  Sacs  went  some  time  since 
to  see  the  British  Superintendent  and,  on  the  first 
instant,  fifty  more  passed  Chicago  for  the  same 
destination.  A  Miami  chief  who  has  just  returned 
from  his  annual  visit  to  Maiden,  after  having  re- 
ceived the  accustomed  donation  of  goods  was  thus 
addressed  by  the  British  agent:  'My  son  keep  your 
eyes  fixed  on  me ;  my  tomahawk  is  now  up ;  be  you 
ready,  but  do  not  strike  until  I  give  the  signal.'  " 

General  Clark  wrote  from  St.  Louis,  July  2oth, 
that: 

"A  few  weeks  ago  the  post-rider  on  his  way  from 
Vincennes  to  this  place  was  killed,  and  the  mail  lost ; 
since  that  time  we  have  had  no  communication  with 
Vincennes.  A  part  of  the  Sacs  and  the  greatest  part  of 
the  Kickapoos  who  reside  east  of  the  Mississippi  have 
been  absent  some  time  on  a  visit  to  the  Indian  Prophet. 
One  hundred  and  fifty  Sacs  are  on  a  visit  to  the 
British  Agent  by  invitation,  and  a  smaller  party  on  a 
visit  to  the  Island  of  St.  Joseph  in  Lake  Huron. " 

On  July  25th,  General  Harrison  again  wrote  in 
part  as  follows: 


From  1809-1812  185 

"There  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  designs  of  the 
Prophet  and  the  British  Agent  of  Indian  Affairs 
[Alexander  McKee?]  to  do  us  injury.  This  agent  is 
a  refugee  from  the  neighborhood  of [Pitts- 
burg]  and  his  implacable  hatred  of  his  native  country 
prompted  him  to  take  part  with  the  Aborigines  in 
the  battle  between  them  and  General  Wayne's  army. 
[See  ante.]  He  has,  ever  since  his  appointment  to 
the  principal  agency,  used  his  utmost  endeavors  to 
excite  hostilities,  and  the  lavish  manner  in  which  he 
is  allowed  to  scatter  presents  amongst  them,  shews 
that  his  government  participates  in  his  enmity  and 
authorizes  his  measures." 

Governor  Hull  wrote  from  Detroit,  July  27th, 
in  part  as  follows: 

"Large  bodies  of  Indians  from  the  westward  and 
southward  continue  to  visit  the  British  post  at  Am- 
herstburg  [Maiden]  and  are  supplied  with  provisions, 
arms,  ammunition,  etc.  Much  more  attention  is 
paid  to  them  than  usual. " 

On  August  7th,  Captain  John  Johnston,  Agent 
of  the  Fort  Wayne  Trading  Post,  wrote: 

"Since  writing  you  on  the  2 5th  ultimo,  about  one 
hundred  Sawkeys  [Sacs]  have  returned  from  the 
British  Agent  who  supplied  them  liberally  with 
everything  they  stood  in  want  of.  The  party  re- 
ceived forty-seven  rifles  and  a  number  of  fusils 
[flintlock  muskets]  with  plenty  of  powder  and  lead. 
This  is  sending  firebrands  into  the  Mississippi  country 
inasmuch  as  it  will  draw  numbers  of  our  Aborigines 


1 86  The  Ohio  Country 

to  the  British  side  in  the  hope  of  being  treated  with 
the  same  liberality." 

On  August  i,  1810,  General  Harrison  reported 
that  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  northern 
frontier  of  the  Jeffersonville  district  had  been 
driven  away  by  the  Aborigines,  and  much  of  their 
property  destroyed. 

The  Secretary  of  War  received  many  other 
letters  from  the  widely  separated  posts,  evidencing 
the  continued  preparations  of  the  Savages  for 
war,  under  the  incitements  of  the  British.  But 
few  additional  excerpts  will  be  here  given.  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1811,  Captain  Johnston  reported  from 
Fort  Wayne: 

" has  been  at  this  place.     The  information 

derived  from  him  is  the  same  I  have  been  in  possession 
of  for  several  years,  to  wit:  the  intrigues  of  the 
British  agents  and  partisans  in  creating  an  influence 
hostile  to  our  people  and  government,  within  our 
territory.  I  do  not  know  whether  a  garrison  [fort] 
is  to  be  erected  on  the  Wabash  or  not;  but  every 
consideration  of  sound  policy  urges  the  early  estab- 
lishment of  a  post  somewhere  contiguous  to  the 
Prophet's  residence." 

It  is  well  to  bear  in  mind  in  this  connection 
the  continued  echoes  of  the  remnant  of  the 
Federalists  of  New  England,  who  yet  desired  to 


From  1809-1812  187 

ignore  the  western  country,  and  who  had  done  much 
toward  the  ignoring  of  the  aggressions  of  the  British 
in  the  Ohio  Country,  and,  finally,  opposed  the  War 
of  1812  to  correct  these  abuses.  January  14, 1811, 
Josiah  Quincy,  Representative  from  Massachusetts, 
spoke  in  the  House  in  part  as  follows : 

"I  am  compelled  to  declare  it  as  my  deliberate 
opinion  that,  if  this  bill  [for  the  admission  of  Orleans 
(Louisiana)  as  a  State]  passes,  the  bonds  of  this 
Union  are  virtually  dissolved;  that  the  States  which 
compose  it  are  free  from  their  moral  obligations;  and 
that  as  it  will  be  the  right  of  all,  so  it  will  be  the  duty 
of  some,  to  prepare  definitely  for  a  separation  amica- 
bly, if  they  can,  violently,  if  they  must." 

Hostilities  were  continued  to  the  westward, 
some  murders  and  captivities  of  Americans  being 
reported;  and  some  blockhouses  were  built  along 
the  frontier  for  the  refuge  and  defence  of  the  re- 
maining settlers. 

Governor  Harrison  had  not  remained  idle. 
He  had  instituted  preparations  for  defence,  and 
for  advance  movements.  By  appointment  he 
was  visited  by  the  chief  leader  of  the  hostile 
Aborigines,  his  written  report  of  the  visit,  August 
6,  1811,  being  in  part  as  follows: 

"The  Shawnee  Chief  Tecumseh  has  made  a  visit 
to  this  place  with  about  three  hundred  Indians, 


i88  The  Ohio  Country 

though  he  promised  to  bring  but  a  few  attendants; 
his  intentions  hostile,  though  he  found  us  prepared 
for  him.  Tecumseh  did  not  set  out  until  yesterday; 
he  then  descended  the  Wabash  attended  by  twenty 
men  on  his  way  to  the  southward.  After  having 
visited  the  Creeks  and  Choctaws  he  is  to  visit  the 
Osages,  and  return  by  the  Missouri.  The  spies  say 
his  object  in  coming  with  so  many  was  to  demand  a 
retrocession  of  the  late  purchase  [of  Aborigine  claims 
to  land].  At  the  moment  he  was  promising  to  bring 
but  a  few  men  with  him  he  was  sending  in  every 
direction  to  collect  his  people.  That  he  meditated 
a  blow  at  this  time  was  believed  by  almost  all  the 
neutral  Aborigines." 

Governor  Harrison  reported,  September  nth, 
from  Vincennes  as  follows : 

" states  that  almost  every  Indian  from  the 

country  above  this  had  been  or  was  gone  to  Maiden 
on  a  visit  to  the  British  Agent.  We  shall  probably 
gain  our  destined  point  at  the  moment  of  their  return. 
If  then  the  British  agents  are  really  endeavoring 
to  instigate  the  Aborigines  to  make  war  upon  us, 
we  shall  be  in  their  neighborhood  at  the  very  moment 
when  the  impressions  which  have  been  made  against 
us  are  most  active  in  the  minds  of  the  savages. 

succeeded   in  getting   the   chiefs   together   at 

Fort  Wayne,  though  he  found  them  all  preparing  to 
go  to  Maiden.  The  result  of  the  council  discovered 
that  the  whole  tribes  (including  the  Weas  and  Eel 
Rivers,  for  they  are  all  Miamis)  were  about  equally 
divided  in  favor  of  the  Prophet  and  the  United  States. 


From  1809-1812  189 

reports  that  all  the  Aborigines  of  the  Wabash 

have  been  or  now  are  on  a  visit  to  the  British  Agent 
at  Maiden;  he  has  never  known  more  than  one-fourth 
as  many  goods  given  to  the  Aborigines  as  they  are 
now  distributing.  He  examined  the  share  of  one 
(not  a  chief)  and  found  that  he  had  received  an 
elegant  rifle,  twenty-five  pounds  of  powder,  fifty 
pounds  of  lead,  three  blankets,  three  strouds  of  cloth, 
ten  shirts,  and  several  other  articles.  He  says  every 
Aborigine  is  furnished  with  a  gun  (either  rifle  or 
fusil)  and  an  abundance  of  ammunition.  A  trader 
of  this  country  was  lately  in  the  King's  store  at 
Maiden,  and  was  told  that  the  quantity  of  goods  for 
the  Indian  Department  which  had  been  sent  out 
this  year,  exceeded  that  of  common  years  by  £20,000 
sterling.  It  is  impossible  to  ascribe  this  profusion 
to  any  other  motive  than  that  of  instigating  the 
Aborigines  to  take  up  the  tomahawk;  it  cannot  be 
to  secure  their  trade  for  all  the  peltries  collected  on 
the  waters  of  the  "Wabash  in  one  year  if  sold  on  the 
London  market  would  not  pay  the  freight  of  the 
goods  which  have  been  given  to  the  Aborigines." 

Tecumseh  and  the  Prophet  had  been  advising 
discontinuance  of  trade  with  Americans.  Action 
on  this  advice  led  to  some  clandestine  trading, 
to  more  fraudulent  practices  by  the  Aborigines, 
and  to  their  violence.  But  the  principal  result 
was  observed  as  an  additional  incentive  to  turn 
the  Savages  to  the  British  whose  lavish  gifts  had 
already  drawn  nearly  all  of  them  to  Fort  Maiden. 

Meetings  of  citizens  along  the   frontier  were 


i  go  The  Ohio  Country 

held  during  the  summer  of  1811;  and  memorials 
stating  the  depredations  and  murders  by  the 
Aborigines,  accompanied  by  petitions  for  pro- 
tection, were  sent  by  them  to  President  Madison. 
Governor  Harrison  was  given  additional  regular 
troops  and  militia,  and  the  second  week  in  October 
they  advanced  up  the  Wabash  towards  the 
Prophet's  town  by  the  Tippecanoe  River  to  stop 
his  influence  for  further  murderous  raids.  Peace 
messengers  were  sent  forward,  but  they  were 
violently  treated,  and  on  the  night  of  the  loth 
a  sentinel  of  the  American  command  was  severely 
wounded  by  the  Prophet's  adherents.  Governor 
Harrison  commanded  the  Americans  in  person. 
He  advanced  cautiously  and,  on  the  6th  of 
November,  meeting  some  of  the  Prophet's  messen- 
gers near  his  town,  made  an  agreement  for  a 
council  the  next  morning.  But,  true  to  the 
treacherous  nature  of  the  Savages,  they  made  a 
stealthy  attack  in  the  dark  about  a  quarter  past 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when,  in  the  words 
of  Governor  Harrison's  report,  "they  manifested 
a  ferocity  uncommon  to  them.  To  their  savage 
fury  our  troops,  nineteen  twentieths  of  whom 
had  not  before  been  in  battle,  opposed  that  cool 
and  deliberate  valor  which  is  characteristic  of 
the  Christian  soldier."  The  Savages  retreated. 


From  1809-1812  191 

The  Americans  in  this  Battle  of  Tippecanoe  num- 
bered a  few  over  seven  hundred;  and  the  number  of 
Savages  was  estimated  as  nearly  the  same.  The 
American  loss  was  sixty-two  killed  and  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-six  wounded.  The  loss  of  the 
Savages  was  estimated  at  a  larger  number. 

The  condition  of  the  frontier  settlements  was 
but  little,  if  any,  improved  by  this  defeat  of  the 
Shawnee  Prophet's  army.  To  dishearten  the 
Savages  seriously,  it  was  necessary  to  give  them 
a  crushing  defeat,  or  a  series  of  defeats.  Depre- 
dations and  murders  continued  in  the  West,  and 
grave  apprehensions  pervaded  the  entire  country. 

Among  the  petitioners  to  the  President  and 
Congress  for  protection,  were  the  prominent 
citizens  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  living  at 
Detroit,  who  gave  statistics  from  which  the 
following  are  extracted,  viz.:  The  population  of 
the  Territory,  December  10,  1811,  was  given  as 
four  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-two, 
about  four  fifths  of  whom  were  French,  the 
remainder  being  largely  Americans,  with  a  few 
British,  and  some  servants  of  African  blood.1 

1  African  slaves  were  brought  into  this  western  region  by 
the  Aborigines,  and  were  taken  to  Detroit  from  an  early 
date.  They  were  bought  first  by  the  French,  and  later  by 
the  British,  army  officers,  and  merchants,  by  whom  they  were 
retained  as  servants  for  many  years. 


192  The  Ohio  Country 

They  were  distributed  in  nine  principal  settle- 
ments each  settlement  having  a  "double  frontier" 
— the  British  on  one  side,  the  Savages  on  the  other. 
The  first  three  of  these  settlements  were  named 
as:  i,  the  mouth  of  the  Maumee  River;  2,  the 
River  Raisin;  3,  the  River  Huron,  in  Michigan 
Territory.  The  other  settlements  were  at  De- 
troit, and  northward,  and  westward.  There 
were  two  forts,  Detroit  with  a  garrison  of  ninety- 
four  soldiers,  and  Michilimackinac  with  seventy- 
nine  soldiers.  Additional  forts  were  petitioned 
for,  with  stronger  garrisons,  and  cavalry. 

Wandering  bands  of  hostile  Aborigines  and 
"British  emissaries"  continued  to  visit  every 
camp,  and  Fort  Maiden.  Had  the  petitions  of 
the  settlers  for  more  forts  and  cavalry  been 
granted,  and  these  hostile  mischief-makers  been 
arrested  and  imprisoned,  the  influence  of  the 
"Prophet"  and  of  the  British  could  have  been 
greatly  reduced  and  many  American  lives  saved. 
The  policy  of  forbearance,  delay,  and  hoping  for 
peace  was  continued  until  long  after  the  British 
and  their  savage  allies  were  again  thoroughly 
organized. 

Governor  Howard  of  Missouri  Territory  wrote 
March  19,  1812,  detailing  depredations  and  "most 
barbarous  murders"  by  Savages;  and  the  letters 


From  1809-1812  193 

of  like  import  from  Captain  Nathan  Heald  were 
frequent  from  Chicago,  including  the  report  of 
killing  and  eating  two  Americans  by  Winnebagoes 
at  the  lead  mines  near  the  Mississippi  River. 

The  Trading  Agent  at  Fort  Wayne,  then  Major 
Benjamin  F.  Stickney,  after  reporting  a  grand 
council  of  twelve  tribes  by  the  Wabash  River, 
wrote  May  25th,  what  he  had  before  written  to 
Governor  Hull,  viz. : 

"The  time  appears  to  have  arrived  when  it  is 
necessary,  if  possible,  to  cut  off  all  communication 
between  the  Indians  within  the  territory  of  the 
United  States,  and  Canada." 

This  was  a  very  tardy  suggestion  of  a  policy 
the  enforcement  of  which  should  have  seemed  a 
necessity  many  years  before  this  date.  Tribe  af- 
ter tribe  and  band  after  band  of  the  Aborigines, 
including  several  hundred  Ottawas  of  the  lower 
Maumee,  had  been  enticed  to  remove  to  the  Tip- 
pecanoe,  or  to  near  Maiden,  and  again  to  ally 
themselves  closely  with  the  British  for  a  general 
war. 
13 


CHAPTER  XVI 

SAD  BEGINNING  OF    THE  WAR  FOR  INDEPENDENCE 

Tardy  Action  of  Congress — Declaration  of  War  against 
Great  Britain — This  War  of  1812  the  Real  War  for  In- 
dependence— The  Army  of  the  Northwest  the  First  in  the 
Field — Forts  McArthur,  Necessity,  Findlay,  and  Miami 
Built — Sad  Inefficiency  of  General  Hull — He  Orders  the 
Abandonment  of  Fort  Dearborn — Massacre  and  Canni- 
balism by  British  Allies — Hull  Surrenders  Fort  at 
Detroit  without  Effort  for  Defence — Brave  and  Patriotic 
Work  by  Captain  Brush. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  numerous  reports 
of  many  American  agents  and  officers, 
during  several  years  of  depredations  and  mur- 
derings  by  the  Savages,  and  the  accumulated 
evidence  of  their  incitement  by  British  traders, 
other  agents,  and  officers,  it  was  not  until  June 
13,  1812,  that  the  committee  of  Congress  reported 
it  proved  that  the  British  had  been  working 
among  these  Aborigines  with  the  intention  of 
securing  them  as  allies  against  the  United  States; 

194 


From  1812-1813  195 

that  the  British  had  incited  them  to  hostilities 
and  presented  them  with  weapons  of  warfare  which 
had  already  been  used  against  the  Americans; 
and  that  it  was  the  duty  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  use  the  necessary  means  to 
protect  the  frontiers  from  the  attacks  with  which 
they  were  yet  threatened. 

The  war  cloud  that  had  been  lowering  for 
several  years,  settled  into  a  formal  declaration  of 
war  against  Great  Britain,  June  18,  1812,  on 
account  of  the  enemy's  interference  with  Amer- 
ican trade,  enforced  by  a  blockade;  the  search 
of  American  vessels;  the  impressment  of  American 
seamen,  and  the  encouragement  of  the  Aborigines 
in  their  savagery  against  Americans.  This  last 
charge  was  yet  far  more  apparent  in  the  West 
than  to  the  general  public  in  the  East  and  was, 
as  yet,  scarcely  mentioned  by  those  highest  in 
authority  in  the  East. 

This  was  to  be  the  real  war  for  independence 
from  Great  Britain,  as  foreseen  by  Benjamin 
Franklin;  the  war  of  1775-1783  was  only  Revo- 
lutionary. 

Governor  William  Hull,  of  Michigan  Territory, 
was  in  Washington  during  part  of  the  winter  and 
spring  of  1812,  and  he  urged  the  President  to 
increase  the  military  force  in  the  Northwest ;  and 


196  The  Ohio  Country 

for  the  third  time  he  called  attention  to  the 
positive  necessity  for  an  American  naval  fleet  on 
Lake  Erie. 

The  President  made  requisition  early  in  April 
upon  Governor  Return  J.  Meigs  of  Ohio  for 
twelve  hundred  militia  to  be  ready  for  immediate 
march  to  Detroit.  He  also  appointed  Com- 
mander Stewart,  Agent  on  Lake  Erie,  and  ordered 
the  building  of  vessels  for  defence. 

On  April  8th,  Governor  Hull  was  commissioned 
Brigadier-General  in  the  United  States  army,  and 
he  was  ordered  to  take  charge  of  the  Ohio  troops. 
It  appears  that  this  was  against  his  desire,  and 
it  was  surely  a  very  serious  mistake.  Hull 
arrived  May  25th  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  the  place  of 
rendezvous,  and  the  volunteer  troops  were  at 
once  given  to  his  command  by  Governor  Meigs. 
They  moved  northward  June  ist  to  Urbana, 
where  they  were  joined  by  the  Fourth  Regiment 
of  United  States  troops,  which  the  President 
had  ordered  forward  from  Vincennes. 

It  was  the  desire  of  General  Hull  to  go  as  direct 
to  Detroit  as  practicable,  and  this  course  led 
through  a  trackless  forest  until  arrival  at  the 
Maumee  River  a  little  below  Roche  de  Bout. 
Colonel  Duncan  McArthur's  First  Regiment  was 
detached  to  cut  a  road  from  Urbana,  which  was 


From  1812-1813  J97 

done  to  the  Scioto  River  near  the  present  Kenton, 
and  there  they  built  two  blockhouses  and  con- 
nected them  with  stockades,  which,  later,  received 
the  name  Fort  McArthur. 

The  army  arrived  at  this  post  June  ipth. 
The  Second  Regiment,  under  Colonel  James 
Findlay,  was  here  detached  to  cut  and  bridge  a 
road  onward.  On  June  226.,  Fort  McArthur 
was  garrisoned  by  Captain  Dill's  company,  and 
leaving  the  sick  in  his  care,  the  army  moved 
forward.  Heavy  rains  made  the  way  across  the 
morasses  at  the  headwaters  of  the  Blanchard 
River  well-nigh  impassable,  and,  after  a  laborious 
struggle,  and  under  great  annoyance  from  the 
small  flies  and  mosquitoes,  they  were  obliged 
to  halt  sixteen  miles  from  Fort  McArthur.  Here 
were  built  another  stockade  and  houses  which 
were  named  Fort  Necessity.  With  lessening 
food  supplies,  the  horses  and  oxen  were  put  on 
short  allowance,  and  rearrangements  were  made 
whereby  the  wagons  were  to  be  relieved  of  more 
of  their  burden  by  packs  on  the  horses  "and  every 
man  who  could  make  a  packsaddle  was  detailed 
on  that  business;  but  as  soon  as  a  sufficient 
number  of  saddles  were  made  the  order  was 
rescinded,  and  the  saddles  were  deposited  in  the 
blockhouses. " 


198  The  Ohio  Country 

The  weather  improving,  the  army  advanced  and, 
after  three  days,  arrived  at  the  Blanchard  River, 
on  the  left  bank  of  which  Colonel  Findlay's 
detachment  had  nearly  completed  a  stockaded 
enclosure  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  square, 
with  a  blockhouse  at  each  corner,  and  a  ditch  in 
front.  General  Hull  gave  this  place  of  refuge  in 
the  forest  the  name  Fort  Findlay.  It  was 
situated  but  a  few  squares  north  of  the  present 
court-house  in  the  city  of  Findlay,  Ohio. 

A  messenger,  Colonel  Dunlap,  here  delivered 
to  General  Hull,  on  June  24th,  an  order  from  the 
Secretary  of  War  for  the  army  to  proceed  at  once 
to  Detroit  and  there  expect  further  orders.  This 
order  was  dated  the  morning  of  June  i8th,  the 
day  that  war  was  declared,  but  no  mention  of 
this  act  was  made  in  the  order.  Colonel  Mc- 
Arthur,  however,  received  communication  the 
same  day  from  Chillicothe,  stating  on  authority 
of  Thomas  Worthington,  then  United  States 
Senator  from  Ohio,  that  war  would  be  proclaimed 
before  this  writing  could  be  delivered  to  him. 
This  letter  was  shown  to  General  Hull  who,  from 
his  previous  information,  knew  that  war  was 
imminent. 

President  Madison  and  William  Eustis,  Secre- 
tary of  War,  early  provided  for  three  armies  for 


From  1812-1813  199 

the  prosecution  of  the  War  of  1812,  viz.:  The 
Army  of  the  Northwest,  under  General  Hull, 
which  was  the  first  in  the  field;  the  Army  of  the 
Center,  under  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  whose 
headquarters  were  at  Niagara ;  and  the  Army  of  the 
North,  under  General  Joseph  Bloomfield,  whose 
head-quarters  were  at  Plattsburg,  New  York. 

The  object  of  the  remaining  part  of  this  book 
is  to  follow  the  movements,  failures,  and  successes 
of  the  Army  of  the  Northwest,  which  will  be  cred- 
ited with  turning  the  contest  against  the  British, 
and  with  the  saving  of  the  region  west  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains,  for  the  second  time,  at 
least,  to  the  United  States. 

General  Hull  directed  Colonel  Lewis  Cass,  with 
the  Third  Regiment,  to  cut  and  prepare  a  road 
northward  from  Fort  Findlay.  Much  of  the 
heavy  baggage  was  stored  at  this  fort,  to  be 
forwarded  as  desired,  and  the  army  proceeded 
as  soon  as  practicable.  After  a  few  days'  march, 
they  arrived  at  the  Maumee  River,  opposite  the 
site  of  General  Wayne's  battle-field  of  Fallen 
Timber,  where  encampment  was  made  for  the 
night.  Fording  the  river  at  the  rapids  here,  the 
next  encampment  was  made  near  a  small  village 
of  American  settlers,  and  at  the  site  of  the  British 
Fort  Miami  of  1794-1796. 


200  The  Ohio  Country 

Here  the  schooner  Cuydhoga  under  Captain 
Chapin  was  chartered  for  Detroit,  and  loaded 
with  much  of  the  heavier  baggage,  including 
entrenching  implements,  hospital  stores,  the 
heaviest  part  of  the  officers'  personal  effects,  and 
even  thoughtlessly  including  the  General's  com- 
mission, the  instructions  from  the  Secretary  of 
War,  and  the  complete  muster  rolls  of  the  army. 
Thirty  soldiers  were  detailed  as  guard  for  the 
schooner,  which  also  carried  as  passengers  the 
wives  of  three  subordinate  officers. 

The  sequel  proved  that  it  would  have  been  far 
better  for  the  American  cause  had  General  Hull 
also  gone  with  his  private  papers,  direct  to  the 
British.  Captain  McPherson,  of  Cincinnati,  here 
suggested  to  the  General  that  war  must  have  been 
declared,  and  that  the  schooner  would  be  captured 
by  the  enemy.  The  Cuyahoga,  accompanied  by 
a  sloop  carrying  the  sick  under  care  of  Surgeon's 
Mate  James  Reynolds,  sailed,  however,  from  the 
Maumee  River,  July  i,  1812,  the  former  to  be 
captured  by  the  British  next  day,  when  passing 
Fort  Maiden.  The  sloop  was  belated  and, 
going  up  the  shallower  channel'  west  of  Bois 
Blanc  Island,  evaded  the  enemy  and  arrived 
at  Detroit  July  3d. 

Lieutenant  Davidson  and  twenty-five  privates 


From  1812-1813  201 

were  detached  to  build  and  occupy  a  blockhouse 
at  the  ruins  of  Fort  Miami,1  and,  July  ist,  the 
army  continued  the  march  northward  through 
the  best  cleared  country  in  the  West,  it  having 
been  the  highway,  with  many  settlements,  of  the 
French  and  British,  for  one  hundred  and  fifty 
years  or  more. 

General  Hull  did  not  formally  learn  of  the 
declaration  of  war  until  the  afternoon  of  July 
2d,  when  he  was  overtaken  near  Frenchtown 
(the  present  Monroe,  Michigan)  by  a  messenger 
with  such  information  from  the  Secretary  of 
War;  and  he  here  also  learned  of  the  capture  of 
his  schooner.  The  British  garrison  at  Fort 
Maiden  had  previously  received  notification  of 
the  war,  and  was  alert  for  action.  Fort  Michili- 
mackinac  (later  Mackinac,  and  Mackinaw)  with 
a  garrison  of  fifty-seven  soldiers  was  surrendered 
to  a  far  superior  force  of  British  and  Savages 
July  i  yth,  the  commandant,  Lieutenant  Porter 
Hicks,  first  learning  at  their  demand  for  surrender 
that  war  was  declared. 

Late  in  July,  Hull  ordered  the  abandonment 
of  Fort  Dearborn,  Chicago,  Captain  William  Wells 

1  See  the  article  on  the  six  Forts  Miami  in  theOhio  Archaeo- 
logical and  Historical  Quarterly,  April,  1903,  vol.  xii.,  p.  120 
et  seq.,  by  Charles  E.  Slocum. 


202  The  Ohio  Country 

bearing  the  order  from  Fort  Wayne.  Members 
of  the  garrison,  and  others,  including  Captain 
Wells,  who  had  been  a  very  efficient  scout,  inter- 
preter, and  soldier  with  Wayne,  and  later,  suffered 
massacre  on  leaving  the  fort,  by  Savages  who 
ate  the  heart  and  part  of  the  body  of  Wells 
particularly. 

Governor  Meigs,  Thomas  Worthington,  and  Jer- 
emiah Morrow,  as  United  States  Commissioners, 
held  a  council  at  Piqua,  Ohio,  August  i5th,  with 
such  representatives  of  the  Aborigines  as  could 
be  gathered,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  their 
neutrality  with  the  British.  A  number  of  the 
Ohio  tribes  were  represented,  but  little  could 
be  done  with  them,  they  having  heard  the  report 
from  Michilimackinac  and  Chicago. 

Full  account  of  the  weak  conduct  of  General 
Hull,  which  has  been  several  times  and  fully 
written,  will  not  be  given  space  here.  It  culmi- 
nated, August  1 6th,  in  the  surrender  to  the 
British  of  Detroit,  with  nearly  two  thousand 
American  soldiers,  without  any  effort  toward 
resistance  having  been  made.  This  surrender 
was  an  irreparable  loss  to  the  Northwestern  Armyf 
and  of  corresponding  value  to  the  enemy.  As 
heretofore  seen  on  these  pages,  this  post  had  for 
many  years  been  a  great  vantage  ground  for  the 


From  1812-1813  203 

British;  and  the  surrender  also  carried  to  the 
enemy  two  thousand  and  four  hundred  stand  of 
arms,  besides  those  in  the  arsenal ;  also  of  cannon : 
iron,  nine  24-pounders,  five  9-,  three  6-,  four  2-,  and 
two  i -pounders;  and  of  howitzers,  one  8-inch 
and  one  5^-inch;  these  according  to  the  British 
official  returns. 

The  Ohio  volunteers  in  this  unfortunate  army 
were  paroled,  and  sent  across  Lake  Erie  to  Cleve- 
land, whence  they  walked  to  their  respective 
homes.  They  were  exchanged  in  March  or  early 
April,  1813.  General  Hull  and  the  United  States 
troops  were  retained  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  were 
sent  to  Montreal. 

An  additional  two  hundred  and  thirty  volun- 
teers, under  Captain  Henry  Brush,  with  one 
hundred  beef  cattle  and  other  food  supplies,  sent 
by  Governor  Meigs  to  reinforce  the  army  at  De- 
troit, were  held  by  the  British  from  advancing 
beyond  the  river  Raisin  from  the  first  days  of 
August,  without  relief  from  Detroit.  Hull  included 
this  force  in  his  surrender;  but  when  Captain 
Elliott,  son  of  the  notorious  Captain  Matthew 
Elliott,  and  his  attendants  came  to  claim  this  prize, 
Captain  Brush  placed  them  under  arrest  and  im- 
mediately started  his  command  and  supplies  south- 
ward, and  conducted  them  back  to  Governor  Meigs. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

SLOW   PROGRESS   IN    PREPARING  TO    MEET  THE 
ENEMY 

Efforts  to  Repair  Hull's  Loss — General  Harrison  Appointed 
Commander-in-Chief — Siege  of  Fort  Wayne  Relieved — 
General  Winchester  Appointed  to  Succeed  Harrison 
without  Cause. 

"\  A  7HEN  the  critical  state  of  affairs  at  Detroit 
*  *  was  made  known  to  Governor  Meigs,  he 
immediately  ordered  the  remaining  part  of  Ohio's 
quota  of  the  one  hundred  thousand  detached 
militia,  which  the  President  was  authorized  to 
levy  among  the  States,  twelve  hundred  in  number, 
to  rendezvous  under  Brigadier-General  Tupper 
at  Urbana,  which  was  well  in  the  southern  edge 
of  the  wilderness.  When  the  Governor  learned 
of  the  loss  of  Detroit,  he  became  active  in  placing 
every  effective  force  and  point  in  good  con- 
dition for  successful  defence  against  the  Savages; 
also  in  advising  the  frontiersmen  to  gather  and 

204 


From  1812-1813  205 

build  blockhouses  for  the  protection  of  their 
families. 

Kentucky,  under  the  Governorship  of  the 
veteran  General  Charles  Scott,  was  prompt  in 
gathering  her  quota  of  ten  regiments  of  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  each.  Governor  Harrison, 
who,  the  preceding  year,  had  been  commissioned 
to  command  the  troops  in  Indiana  and  Illinois 
Territories,  had,  with  his  characteristic  thought- 
fulness  and  good  judgment,  secured  places  of 
refuge  for  the  settlers  in  his  domain.  He  was 
also  authorized  to  call  on  the  Governor  of  Ken- 
tucky for  any  soldiers,  needed  from  that  State, 
which  were  not  in  service. 

By  invitation  of  Governor  Scott,  his  comrade  in 
General  Wayne's  campaign  through  Ohio,  Harri- 
son visited  Frankfort,  inspected  the  militia,  and 
was  given  a  public  reception,  the  principal  citizens 
including  Henry  Clay  uniting  to  do  him  honor; 
and  in  order  that  he  might  be  chief  in  command 
of  the  Kentucky  forces,  Governor  Scott  com- 
missioned him,  August  25,  1812,  Major-General 
of  the  militia  of  Kentucky  by  brevet.  It  was  not 
known  by  either  party  that  President  Madison 
had,  on  August  22d,  commissioned  him  Brigadier- 
General  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States. 

Writing  to  Governor  Meigs  from  Cincinnati  on 


206  The  Ohio  Country 

the  27th,  General  Harrison  stated,  that  the  Ken- 
tucky troops  then  with  him  were  two  regiments 
of  infantry  and  one  of  mounted  riflemen,  which 
were  ordered  at  once  to  Urbana;  and  that  three 
regiments  of  infantry,  one  of  dragoons,  and  one 
of  mounted  riflemen  were  in  full  march  to  join 
him — the  whole  number  being  over  four  thousand 
men.  He  further  stated  that  "should  the  report 
of  the  capture  of  General  Hull's  army  prove 
untrue,  I  shall  join  them  either  at  that  place 
[Urbana],  or  before  they  reach  it,  and  proceed 
to  Detroit  without  waiting  for  the  regiments  in 
my  rear."  He  also  inquired  what  assistance 
could  be  given  him  from  Ohio. 

The  Kentucky  troops  marched  up  the  Miami 
Valley,  and  were  overtaken  by  General  Harrison 
the  third  day.  On  September  2d,  when  above 
Dayton,  they  were  overtaken  by  an  express 
bearing  the  United  States  commission  for  Gen- 
eral Harrison  and  instructions  for  him  to  take 
command  of  the  Indiana  and  Illinois  troops,  and 
co-operate  with  General  Hull  of  Detroit,  and 
Governor  Howard  of  Missouri  Territory,  as  Gen- 
eral James  Winchester  had  been  assigned  to  the 
chief  command  of  the  Northwestern  Army. 

The  march  was  continued  to  Piqua,  where  they 
arrived  September  3d,  to  learn  that  Fort  Wayne, 


From  1812-1813  207 

which  had  been  rebuilt  by  Colonel  Thomas  Hunt 
in  1804,  was  strongly  besieged  by  Savages,  and 
that  a  strong  command  of  British  and  Savages 
had  been  sent  from  Fort  Maiden  for  the  conquest 
of  the  Maumee  and  Wabash  valleys.  The  Abo- 
rigine Agent  at  Piqua,  Colonel  John  Johnston, 
at  the  request  of  General  Harrison,  sent  some 
Shawnee  scouts  yet  on  his  pay-roll  to  the  site  of 
Fort  Defiance,  to  ascertain  if  any  British  force 
had  passed  up  the  Maumee  River  to  the  siege  of 
Fort  Wayne.  Captain  John  Logan,  a  friendly 
and  efficient  Shawnee  half-breed,  was  sent  to 
Fort  Wayne,  to  learn  and  to  report  its  condition 
as  soon  as  possible. 

Immediate  action  seemed  imperative,  and, 
without  awaiting  General  Winchester's  arrival 
or  his  orders,  General  Harrison  ordered  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel John  Allen's  regiment  of  Federal 
troops,  with  two  companies  from  Colonel  Lewis's 
regiment,  and  one  company  from  Colonel  Scott's 
regiment,  to  prepare  for  a  forced  march  to  the 
relief  of  Fort  Wayne.1 

'  Early  the  next  day,  the  5th  September,  General  Harri- 
son paraded  the  remainder  of  the  troops  and  delivered  to 
them  a  speech,  detailing  the  duties  of  soldiers,  and  stating 
if  there  was  any  person  who  would  not  submit  to  such  regula- 
tions, or  who  was  afraid  to  risk  his  life  in  defence  of  his 
country,  he  might  return  home.  Only  one  man  desired  to 
return;  and  his  friends  having  obtained  leave,  as  usual, 


208  The  Ohio  Country 

For  the  cavalry  a  delay  of  two  days  was 
necessary,  that  they  might  receive  flints  for  their 
guns,  and  a  few  other  supplies  that  were  ex- 
pected daily;  and  at  dawn,  on  September  6th, 
they  moved  briskly  forward  in  light  marching 
order,  and,  early  on  the  8th,  came  up  with  Colonel 
Allen's  command  at  St.  Marys,  where  an  express 
from  General  Harrison  had  overtaken  Colonel 
Allen,  with  orders  to  halt  and  build  a  stockaded 
fort,  for  the  protection  of  the  sick,  and  security  of 
provisions.  Here  they  were  joined  by  Major 
Richard  M.  Johnson,  with  a  corps  of  Kentucky 
mounted  volunteers.  That  night,  Aborigines 
were  seen  spying  the  encampment,  but  they  did 
not  molest  any  one.  They  returned  to  the  be- 
siegers of  Fort  Wayne  with  the  report  that 
"  Kentuck  was  coming  as  numerous  as  the  trees." 
Here,  also,  the  messenger,  Captain  Logan,  re- 
ported his  observations  of  the  distressed  con- 
dition of  Fort  Wayne,  he  having  evaded  the 
besiegers  and  returned  in  safety.  The  after- 
noon of  September  pth,  the  army  encamped  at 
Shane's  Crossing  of  the  river  St.  Marys,  the 

to  escort  him  on  his  way,  he  was  hoisted  on  a  rail  and  carried 
to  the  Big  Miami,  in  the  waters  of  which  they  absolved  him 
from  the  obligations  of  courage  and  patriotism,  and  then 
gave  him  leave  of  absence. — Captain  Robert  M'Afee's 
History  of  the  Late  War  (1812),  page  121. 


From  1812-1813  209 

present  Rockford,  Ohio,  where  they  met  Colonel 
Adams,  with  a  good  force  of  Ohio  volunteer 
cavalry.  From  this  place  the  combined  forces 
moved  cautiously,  and  in  as  near  battle  order 
as  practicable.  General  Harrison  was  a  member 
of  General  Wayne's  staff  during  his  campaign 
through  this  wilderness  and  he  had  been  an  apt 
student  of  Wayne's  successful  methods.  The 
encampment  was  fortified,  or  well  protected  each 
night,  and  the  march  by  day  was  in  such  order 
as  to  prevent  being  ambuscaded.  He  also  kept 
well  informed  regarding  the  condition  and  temper 
of  each  division. 

The  scouts  soon  reconnoitered  the  country 
around  Fort  Wayne,  and  found  that  the  Savages 
had  made  good  their  escape.  That  afternoon, 
most  of  the  army  encamped  near  the  fort,  where 
a  short  time  before  had  been  a  comfortable 
village.  It  was  now  in  ruins,  having  been  burned 
by  the  Savages,  together  with  the  United  States 
Factory  (trading  agency  building)  which  had 
been  erected  to  supply  the  ungrateful  wretches 
with  farming  utensils  and  the  comforts  of  civilized 
life. 

British  agents  were  constantly  with  the  Savages, 
to  prevent  defection  in  their  bands  and  activities. 
At  the  councils  held  in  the  farther  West,  and  nearer, 


210  The  Ohio  Country 

it  was  reported  by  the  Savages  that  they  had  been 
promised  that,  if  they  would  besiege  the  posts, 
Fort  Wayne  and  Fort  Harrison  by  the  Wabash, 
and  prevent  their  abandonment,  as  at  Fort 
Dearborn,  they  should  be  joined  in  one  moon  by 
a  large  British  force  from  Forts  Maiden  and 
Detroit,  with  artillery,  able  to  demolish  the  stock- 
ades and  give  the  garrisons  to  massacre  and  spoil 
— and  their  success  in  this  would  expose  the  whole 
frontier  to  their  devastation.  Such  report  would 
seem  incredible  at  this  day,  were  it  not  that  such 
deeds  had  repeatedly  been  committed  by  the 
British  and  their  savage  allies  formerly,  and  that 
they  were  done  at  every  one  of  their  successful 
opportunities  during  the  War  of  1812. 

As  in  former  wars,  an  occasional  Frenchman 
was  friendly  and  true  to  the  Americans.  Antoine 
Bondie  was  such  an  one  at  Fort  Wayne;  and 
it  was  evidently  through  his  early  warnings  and 
personal  influence  at  critical  moments  that  the 
garrison  was  saved  from  massacre,  and  the  post 
preserved  to  the  Americans. 

The  number  of  savage  warriors  besieging  Fort 
Wayne  was  estimated  at  five  hundred;  and  the 
garrison  numbered  about  eighty.  The  Savages 
were  secreted  around  in  every  available  place, 
hoping  to  observe  the  sentries  in  thoughtless 


From  1812-1813 

exposure,  or  some  weak  point  at  the  entrance 
gate  or  about  the  stockade.  They  essayed 
strategy.  They  killed  Stephen  Johnson,  clerk 
in  the  agency  store,  who  sought  to  evade  them 
and  visit  Piqua  to  look  after  his  wife.  They 
killed  the  garrison's  cattle  and  hogs,  and  com- 
mitted every  depredation  possible.  Both  parties 
wished  to  delay  the  final  conflict — the  Americans 
awaiting  General  Harrison's  arrival,  the  Savages 
and  their  British  helpers  that  of  their  promised 
reinforcements. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  General  Harrison,  he  recon- 
noitered  the  country  in  all  directions,  and  found 
that  the  enemy  had  retreated  toward  Maiden. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

EXTREME  SUFFERINGS  OF  KENTUCKY  SOLDIERS 

General  Winchester  Assumes  Command  of  the  Army — Harri- 
son Directs  Clearing  of  Roads  and  Building  of  Forts 
Barbee,  Jennings,  and  Amanda — Winchester  Marches 
Army  from  Fort  Wayne  to  Defiance — British  Force 
Checked  on  their  Way  to  Fort  Wayne — Harrison  Re- 
appointed  Chief  in  Command  of  Northwestern  Army — 
Visits  Winchester  at  Defiance  and  Settles  Discord — 
Plans  Fort  Winchester  which  Was  Built  at  Defiance 
— Extreme  Sufferings  of  Winchester's  Left  Wing  of 
the  Army — Battle  of  Mississinewa  River. 

\X7INCHESTER  arrived  at  Fort  Wayne 
'  *  September  ipth,  and  Harrison  at  once 
recognized  him  as  his  ranking  officer,  stranger 
though  he  was  to  this  wilderness  country,  to  the 
ways  of  the  Savages,  and  to  the  condition  of 
affairs;  and  a  General  Order  was  issued  to  the 
soldiers  introducing  the  new  commander  and 
urging  strict  obedience  to  his  commands. 

The  necessity  for  additional  roads  and  places 

for  the   protection   of  food  and  other  military 

212 


From  1812-1813  213 

supplies  being  urgent,  General  Harrison  returned 
to  St.  Marys,  where  he  found  the  expected  Ken- 
tucky troops.  Colonel  Joshua  Barbee  was  in- 
structed to  build  there  an  ample  fortification, 
and  storehouse  within  the  stockades,  which  was 
named  Fort  Barbee.  Colonel  William  Jennings 
was  ordered  to  open  a  direct  road  toward  De- 
fiance, and  to  build  a  fort  at  the  end  of  the  port- 
age by  the  Auglaize  River.  This  post  was 
named  Fort  Jennings,  which  name  is  perpetuated 
at  its  site  by  a  pleasant  village  with  the  same 
name.  Colonel  Findlay's  regiment  of  Ohio  cav- 
alry, which  the  Governor  had  ordered  to  report 
at  St.  Marys,  was  ordered  forward  to  destroy  the 
prominent  Ottawa  towns  by  the  Blanchard 
River,  their  former  inhabitants  having  been 
hostile  and  now  favoring  the  British. 

General  Winchester  remained  at  Fort  Wayne 
two  days  and,  September  226.,  "rejoicing  in  the 
prospect"  of  recouping  the  disaster  at  Detroit, 
he  moved  his  army  of  about  two  thousand  anx- 
ious soldiers  down  the  left  bank  of  the  Maumee 
River.  The  savage  scouts  of  the  enemy  ambushed 
and  killed  several  of  his  scouts,  and  endeavored 
to  entrap  others.  It  soon  developed  that  the 
enemy's  scouts  were  the  advance  line  of  about 
two  hundred  British  troops  under  Major  Muir, 


214  The  Ohio  Country 

and  one  thousand  or  more  Savages  led  by  the 
notorious  Colonel  Matthew  Elliott.  This  was 
the  force  previously  reported  as  coming  from 
Fort  Maiden  to  aid  in  the  reduction  of  Fort  Wayne. 
They  had  brought  by  boats  to  the  site  of  Fort 
Defiance  four  cannon  and  other  heavy  equipment, 
and  had  then  advanced  in  as  near  readiness  for 
battle  as  possible.  Upon  learning  that  they 
would  meet  a  strong  force  of  Americans  in  front, 
and  that  their  retreat  would  be  cut  off  by  an 
oncoming  force  down  the  Auglaize  River,  they 
hastily  retreated  the  way  they  had  come. 

Winchester,  fording  the  Maumee  about  five 
miles  above  the  site  of  Fort  Defiance,  advanced 
cautiously  down  the  way  of  the  retreating  foe 
and,  on  September  3oth,  fortified  an  encamp- 
ment on  the  right  high  bank  of  the  Maumee,  one 
mile  and  a  half  by  river  above  the  site  of  General 
Wayne's  Fort  Defiance. 

Meantime,  General  Harrison  had  received  a 
letter  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  announcing 
that  he  was  assigned  to  the  full  command  of  the 
Northwestern  Army,  which,  in  addition  to  the 
regular  troops  and  rangers  in  that  quarter, 
would  consist  of  the  volunteers  and  militia  of 
Kentucky,  Ohio,  and  three  thousand  men  from 
Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  making  his  entire 


From  1812-1813  215 

force  ten  thousand.  This  desirable  appointment 
of  Harrison  was  due  to  the  influence  of  his  many 
friends  in  Kentucky,  as  well  as  those  north  of  the 
Ohio  River,  who  realized  the  mistake  of  having 
Winchester  outrank  him. 

Winchester's  report  of  the  enemy  was  received 
by  Harrison  at  Fort  Barbee  September  3oth,  as 
was  also  a  report  from  Governor  Meigs  of  a  strong 
force  of  the  enemy  opposing  Winchester.  The 
three  thousand  men  then  at  Fort  Barbee  were  at 
once  started  direct  for  Defiance,  Harrison  com- 
manding in  person.  The  first  night  they  en- 
camped at  Fort  Jennings,  where  word  of  the 
retreat  of  the  enemy  was  received.  This  gave 
opportunity  for  part  of  the  soldiers  to  clear  the 
road  to  Defiance,  and  others  to  build  a  fortifi- 
cation farther  up  the  Auglaize  River,  on  the  site 
of  Wayne's  Fort  Auglaize.  This  post  was  named 
by  Colonel  Pogue,  its  builder,  Fort  Amanda,  in 
honor  of  his  wife. 

General  Harrison,  with  the  cavalry,  continued 
down  the  river,  along  the  Wayne  trace  of  eighteen 
years  before.  Upon  his  arrival  at  Winchester's 
encampment  many  of  the  latter' s  soldiers  were 
found  in  a  condition  bordering  on  revolt.  The 
food  supplies  had  become  short,  and  the  men 
were  suffering  from  insufficient  clothing  and  from 


216  The  Ohio  Country 

sickness.  They  had  been  unfavorably  impressed 
with  their  General.  They  greeted  Harrison, 
however,  with  great  warmth,  and  his  address  to 
them  was  received  in  very  good  spirit.  The  food 
brought  with  the  visitors  gave  the  hungry  men 
a  better  breakfast  than  they  had  been  accustomed 
to,  which,  together  with  the  parading  and  frater- 
nizing of  the  cavalry,  renewed  the  soldierly  spirit. 
New  plans  were  entered  upon.  They  found 
Wayne's  Fort  Defiance  in  ruins;  and  even  had  it 
remained  in  good  condition  its  size  would  have 
been  inadequate  for  the  present  demands.  Harri- 
son selected  another  site  near  by,  along  the  high 
bank  of  the  Auglaize  River,  and  drew  a  plan  for 
a  new  fort  and  stockaded  enclosure,  to  embrace 
twelve  times  the  ground  space,  or  more,  of  the 
former  Fort  Defiance;  and  the  soldiers  began  its 
construction  in  good  spirits.  Harrison  named 
this  post  Fort  Winchester. 

The  Northwestern  Army  was  divided  into  two 
wings  and  a  center.  General  Winchester  was 
directed  to  retain  his  command,  which  was  to  be 
known  as  the  left  wing.  The  right  wing  was 
composed  of  the  brigades  from  Virginia  and 
Pennsylvania,  and  one  brigade  from  south- 
eastern Ohio.  This  wing  proceeded  down  the 
Sandusky  River,  and  built  Fort  Feree  at  Upper 


From  1812-1813  217 

Sandusky,  Fort  Ball  at  the  present  Tiffin,  and  Fort 
Stephenson  at  Lower  Sandusky,  now  Fremont, 
Ohio.  General  Tupper  was  to  command  the  center, 
moving  along  Hull's  Road  by  Forts  McArthur, 
Necessity,  and  Findlay,  heretofore  mentioned. 

While  at  Defiance,  General  Harrison  discussed 
with  Winchester  the  lateness  of  the  season;  the 
difficulties  of  advancing  the  army  during  the 
winter;  the  food  supply;  health  of  the  soldiers; 
and  the  desirability  of  his  sending  two  of  his 
regiments  southward  for  the  winter,  where  they 
would  be  near  the  source  of  supply  of  food  and 
clothing.  They  also  debated  whether  General 
Tupper,  with  the  cavalry,  nearly  a  thousand  in 
number,  should  be  sent  down  the  Maumee  beyond 
the  lowest  rapids,  to  disperse  any  of  the  enemy 
there  found,  thus  saving  the  crops  abandoned 
there  by  the  American  settlers;  and  return  to 
Fort  Barbee  by  way  of  the  Ottawa  towns  by  the 
Blanchard  River.  These  suggested  orders  were 
not  decided  upon  by  Winchester  and  Tupper. 
There  was  friction  between  the  commanders,  and 
also  between  the  Federal  and  volunteer  soldiers, 
which  prevented  the  proposed  expedition  of  the 
left  wing.  This  wing,  Tupper  wrote,  "was  at  one 
time  capable  of  tearing  the  British  flag  from  the 
walls  of  Detroit." 


218  The  Ohio  Country 

Rumors  of  Fort  Wayne  being  again  besieged, 
and  the  activity  of  the  Savages  around  the  work- 
men while  building  Fort  Winchester,  the  expira- 
tion of  the  time  of  enlistment  of  many  men,  and 
particularly  the  lateness  of  the  season  with 
scarcity  of  food  and  clothing,  and,  withal,  much 
sickness,  kept  the  soldiers  from  advancing  toward 
Detroit,  as  had  been  expected. 

During  General  Winchester's  stay,  of  about 
three  months,  just  above  and  below  Defiance,  his 
army  occupied  five  encampments,  two  below 
being  temporary.  With  continued  short  rations, 
delay  in  the  receipt  of  winter  clothing,  and  the 
growing  severity  of  the  winter,  the  sickness  and 
sufferings  of  the  soldiers  were  increasing,  and  the 
changes  of  encampment  were  made  for  sanitary 
reasons,  and  that  the  men  might  be  nearer  tim- 
ber for  fuel. 

On  account  of  their  hurried  march  to  the  relief 
of  Fort  Wayne,  much  of  the  soldiers'  clothing  was 
left  at  Piqua,  and  many  of  the  men  were  yet  wear- 
ing the  linen  hunting  coats  in  which  they  started 
from  their  homes  in  Kentucky,  on  i2th  August; 
and  these  were  in  rags  from  natural  wear,  and 
from  the  brush  and  timber  with  which  they  had 
been  obliged  to  contend.  Many  were  so  entirely 
destitute  of  shoes  and  other  clothing,  that  they 


From  1812-1813  219 

must  have  frozen  had  they  been  obliged  to  go 
much  distance  from  their  camp-fires.  The  ' '  Black 
Swamp"  through  which  they  travelled  during 
the  hot  weather,  and  in  which  they  were  yet 
dwelling,  was  rank  with  intermittent  and  remit- 
tent fevers  which  were  weakening  their  systems, 
and  making  them  susceptible  to  pneumonia  and 
typhoid  fever.  The  attacks  of  the  latter  were 
facilitated,  also,  by  the  fact  that  the  men  were 
huddled  together  to  share  each  other's  warmth, 
and  had  only  impure  surface  water  to  drink. 
On  account  of  their  great  distance  in  the  forest, 
the  severe  and  continued  rains,  and  the  soft, 
miry  condition  of  the  swamps,  food  could  not  be 
carried  to  them  in  sufficient  quantities.  Much 
was  lost  on  the  way  by  not  over-conscientious 
packhorse  men ;  and  much  that  was  delivered  was 
in  such  soiled  and  spoiled  condition  as  to  be  un- 
wholesome. At  their  Camp  Number  Three,  five 
miles  down  the  Maumee  from  Defiance,  the 
sufferings  and  deaths  were  the  worst.  No  record 
has  been  found  of  the  total  number  of  deaths, 
which  were  several  each  day;  nor  have  markings 
of  the  places  of  their  scattered  and  shallow  inter- 
ment been  discovered  in  later  years.  Captain 
Robert  B.  M'Afee,  and  William  Atherton,  who 
were  with  this  army,  recount  in  their  small  books 


220  The  Ohio  Country 

many  other  details  of  the  sufferings  and  deaths 
of  this  unfortunate  army;  probably  among  the 
greatest  sufferings  of  their  kind  that  American 
soldiers  have  endured. 

General  Harrison,  at  this  time,  had  head- 
quarters a;  Franklinton,  now  Columbus,  Ohio, 
but  was  often  in  the  saddle,  and  kept  informed 
regarding  the  condition  of  affairs  generally;  and 
he  put  forth  great  efforts  to  gather  supplies  and 
men,  and  to  advance  them  toward  Detroit. 
He  found  in  his  work,  other  than  the  difficulty 
of  getting  supplies  forward  through  a  swampy 
wilderness  of  nearly  two  hundred  miles,  in  wagons 
or  on  packhorses  which  were  forced  to  carry  their 
own  food  also,  obstacles  which  he  declared  to 
be  "absolutely  impossible."  Different  efforts  to 
reconnoiter  the  lower  Maumee,  and  to  punish  the 
aggressive  Savages,  were  barren  of  desirable 
results,  while  increasing  the  sufferings  of  the 
soldiers. 

The  greatest  loss  in  battle,  during  this  time,  was 
suffered  in  December  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Camp- 
bell's  expedition  from  Fort  McArthur.  This  was 
against  the  Miami  and  Delaware  bands  of  Abo- 
rigines and  extended  to  the  Mississinewa  River 
in  Indiana.  Here  the  enemy  made  sharp  oppo- 
sition, killing  eight  Americans,  and  wounding 


From  1812-1813  221 

forty-two  others;  also  killing  one  hundred  and 
seven  horses.  The  enemy  left  fifteen  of  their 
dead  on  the  field.  On  the  return  to  Ohio,  it  was 
necessary  to  carry  the  wounded  on  stretchers, 
and  on  the  way  three  hundred  of  the  American 
soldiers  were  so  frost-bitten  as  to  be  unfit  for 
duty  for  .several  weeks. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

THE  SECOND  GREAT  DISASTER  OF  THE  WAR  OF  l8l2 

Advance  of  General  Winchester's  Army  from  Defiance — 
Safe  Arrival  at  Presque  Isle  below  Roche  de  Bout — 
There  Builds  Fort  Deposit — Unwise  Advance  of  Army 
to  the  Raisin — Defeat  and  Massacre — Harrison  Gathers 
a  New  Army  and  Takes  Command — Fort  Deposit  Aban- 
doned— Fort  Winchester  again  the  Frontier  Post — 
Fort  Meigs  Built — Efforts  to  Strike  the  Enemy 
Unavailing. 

December  22,  1812,  flour  and  other  sup- 
plies,  including  a  partial  supply  of  clothing, 
were  received  in  fairly  good  condition,  com- 
paratively, by  General  Winchester's  army  in 
camp  near  Defiance.  Preparations  were  at  once 
made  for  the  advance  of  all  those  able  to  march. 
The  sick  and  convalescent  were  moved  to  Fort 
Winchester,  and  the  last  days  of  December,  1812, 
the  stronger  soldiers  started  slowly  and  wearily 
down  the  north  bank  of  the  Maumee  River, 
hauling  their  supplies  and  equipment  by  their 


From  1812-1813  223 

own  reduced  power  on  sleds  that  had  been  hastily 
improvised.  A  deep  snow  had  recently  fallen 
on  wet  ground  that  had  been  made  soft  by  a 
general  thaw.  The  march  by  day  was  distressful, 
often  through  water  in  the  numerous  gullies; 
and  worse  was  the  protracted  difficulty  of  getting 
fire  with  flint  and  steel,  when  all  fuel  was  sodden 
by  rain  and  melting  snow,  and  the  enforced  wake- 
fulness  from  wet  clothing  and  insufficient  warmth 
during  the  freezing  nights. 

The  army,  now  reduced  to  about  thirteen  hun- 
dred men,  arrived  at  Presque  Isle,  the  starting 
place  of  Wayne's  Battle  of  Fallen  Timber,  Jan- 
uary 10,  1813.  On  the  near-by  lower  ground,  a 
cornfield  was  discovered,  which  yielded  sufficiently 
for  a  good  change  of  diet  for  the  hungry  and  nearly 
exhausted  men,  it  being  relished  at  first  after 
being  hastily  boiled  whole,  mature  and  hard  as  it 
was.  Here  an  encampment  was  planned,  and 
fortified  to  some  extent,  and  a  large  storehouse 
for  provisions  and  heavy  baggage,  to  be  received, 
was  built  within  the  stockades.  The  receipt 
of  additional  supplies,  including  clothing,  with 
the  warmer  camp,  soon  revived  the  soldierly 
spirit. 

Reports  to,  and  orders  from,  General  Harri- 
son were  delayed  in  transit.  This  advance  and 


224  The  Ohio  Country 

occupation  of  the  lower  rapids  of  the  Maumee 
by  Winchester  without  opposition  by  the  enemy 
was  reassuring  to  the  officers  and  to  the  ranks; 
and  this  had  much  influence  in  inducing  an  unwise 
advance  to  the  river  Raisin. 

In  compliance  with  several  requests  for  pro- 
tection received  from  Frenchtown  (now  Monroe, 
Michigan,  then  a  settlement  of  thirty-three 
families),  Colonel  William  Lewis,  with  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  soldiers,  was  dispatched  January 
1 7th  for  that  purpose,  by  General  Winchester. 
A  few  hours  later,  Colonel  John  Allen  followed 
with  a  force  of  one  hundred  and  ten  men  which 
overtook  the  former  opposite  Presque  Isle  of 
Maumee  Bay,  where  they  were  informed  that  there 
were  four  hundred  Aborigines  then  at  Frenchtown, 
and  that  Colonel  Elliott  was  detaching  a  force  at 
Fort  Maiden  to  proceed  against  the  Americans  by 
the  Maumee  River.  These  rumors  were  dis- 
patched to  General  Winchester,  and  he  sent  them 
to  General  Harrison,  together  with  a  statement 
of  the  movement  of  his  main  force  against  the 
enemy. 

Colonels  Lewis  and  Allen  rapidly  advanced 
over  the  ice  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  engaged 
the  enemy,  about  one  hundred  British  troops 
and  four  hundred  Aborigines,  near  Frenchtown, 


From  1812-1813  225 

and  drove  them  across  the  river  Raisin,  not- 
withstanding the  opposing  howitzer.  Winches- 
ter's officers  then  dispatched  for  reinforcements, 
and  began  preparations  for  defence  against  on- 
coming superior  numbers. 

Upon  learning  of  the  success  of  his  colonels, 
Winchester  left  a  guard  at  his  Fort  Deposit,  and 
started  January  iQth,  with  all  his  remaining 
force,  two  hundred  and  fifty  in  number,  for 
Frenchtown,  where  he  arrived  in  the  night  of  the 
2oth.  He  established  head-quarters  in  the  com- 
fortable residence  of  Colonel  Francis  Navarre,  on 
the  south  side  of  the  river,  about  nine  hundred 
feet  from  the  camp  of  his  soldiers.  The  next 
day,  he  was  informed  by  Peter  Navarre  and  his 
four  brothers,  whom  he  sent  out  to  reconnoiter, 
that  a  large  force  of  British  and  Aborigines  from 
Fort  Maiden,  about  twenty-five  miles  distant, 
would  attack  that  night.  Counter  advices,  less 
trustworthy,  prevailed,  however,  and  no  definite 
precautions  against  a  night  attack  were  ordered. 

Very  early  in  the  morning  of  the  22d,  the  brave 
American  troops,  still  weak  from  their  former 
scant  rations,  disease,  and  marchings,  were 
surprised  by  the  stealthy  foe,  and  were  quite 
overwhelmed  by  superior  numbers  supported  by 
six  cannon.  In  the  first  onslaught,  and  in  the 
15 


226  The  Ohio  Country 

later  direct  massacre,  and  by  the  burning  of  the 
buildings  in  which  the  wounded  were  placed, 
about  three  hundred  were  killed;  five  hundred 
and  forty-seven  were  taken  prisoners  by  the 
British  and  forty-five  by  the  Aborigines;  and  only 
thirty-three  escaped. 

Winchester,  aroused  by  the  guns,  strove  in 
the  biting  cold  to  join  his  men.  Mounting  his 
host's  horse  he  rode  in  the  direction  he  supposed 
to  be  the  proper  part  of  their  camp.  He  was  soon 
captured  by  Jack  Brandy,  an  Aborigine  of  Round 
Head's  band,  who  divested  him  of  his  outer 
clothing,  and  led  him  half  frozen  to  Colonel 
Proctor,  the  British  commander,  who  persuaded 
him  to  order  the  surrender  of  his  troops.  The 
white  flag  was  started  with  this  order  towards 
the  garden  pickets,  behind  which  the  Americans 
were  well  holding  their  position.  They  refused 
to  surrender.  Three  times  did  the  flag  pass  from 
the  British  head-quarters  to  the  American  line, 
once  accompanied  by  Major  Overton  of  Win- 
chester's staff,  before  the  courageous  Major 
George  Madison  would  surrender;  and  he  then 
consented  only  after  promises  by  Proctor  of 
protection  from  the  Savages.  How  these  promises 
were  ignored  by  the  British,  in  the  case  of  the 
many  soldiers  wounded,  and  captured  by  the 


From  1812-1813  227 

Savages;  and  how  fully  the  intoxicated  Savages 
revelled  in  the  butchery  and  eating  of  their  help- 
less victims,  leaving  the  remains  to  be  eaten  by 
dogs  and  hogs,  has  been  described  by  many 
persons  whose  writings  are  readily  accessible. 

Most  of  the  American  prisoners  who  could 
march  with  the  British  were  led  to  Fort  Maiden 
the  morning  of  the  23d.  On  the  26th,  they 
were  marched  to  Sandwich,  whence  some  were 
sent  across  the  river  to  Detroit,  and  the  others 
to  Fort  George  at  Niagara,  where  nearly  all  of 
them  were  released  on  parole  "not  to  bear  arms 
against  his  Majesty  or  his  allies  [the  Savages] 
during  the  war  or  until  exchanged. "  Winchester, 
Lewis,  and  Madison  were  sent  to  Quebec  and, 
sometime  later,  to  Beauport  where  they  were  con- 
fined until  the  spring  of  1814,  when  they  were 
exchanged  with  many  others. 

Colonel  Proctor  reported  the  British  loss  in  this 
battle  as  twenty-four  killed  and  one  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  wounded.  No  accurate  estimate  of 
the  loss  of  their  allied  Savages  could  be  made. 
The  enemy  numbered  about  two  thousand, 
one  half  being  British  regulars  and  Canadian 
militia.  Round  Head  and  Walk-in- the- Water 
were  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  Savages.  Te- 
cumseh  was  then  in  Indiana.  Proctor's  .report 


228  The  Ohio  Country 

and  commendation  of  his  Savage  "allies"  led 
the  Assembly  of  Lower  Canada  to  extend  to  him 
"and  his  men"  a  vote  of  thanks;  and  the  part 
he  acted  also  led  to  his  promotion  to  the  rank 
of  Brigadier-General. 

This  great  disaster  at  the  river  Raisin,  though 
most  deeply  lamented,  was  not  without  good 
results  in  its  lessons.  "Remember  the  Raisin" 
became  the  slogan  that  decided  many  other  men, 
as  well  as  Kentuckians,  to  enlist  in  the  army,  and 
to  do  valiant  service  for  their  country;  and  it 
also  stimulated  the  officers  to  greater  thought- 
fulness,  and  to  a  greater  sense  of  responsibility. 

General  Harrison,  at  Upper  Sandusky,  upon 
receipt  of  Winchester's  report  that  he  was  ad- 
vancing to  the  Raisin,  urged  forward  troops  and 
artillery  from  his  head-quarters,  and  from  Lower 
Sandusky.  He  preceded  the  troops  and,  upon 
his  arrival  at  Fort  Deposit,  ordered  forward 
General  Payne,  with  the  garrison  there,  to  the 
support  of  their  General.  The  cold  was  severe, 
the  snow-covered  road  was  rough,  and  miry  in 
places,  and  Harrison's  troops  were  slow  in  arriving 
at  the  lower  rapids.  As  they  arrived  in  small 
bodies,  they  were  hastened  onward  toward  the 
Raisin,  led  by  General  Harrison  in  person.  They 
had  not  proceeded  far,  however,  before  some 


From  1812-1813  229 

fugitives  were  met  who  gave  the  sad  report;  and 
farther  advancement  confirmed  the  total  defeat 
of  Winchester's  command.  A  council  of  officers 
in  the  saddle  decided  to  send  scouts  forward  to 
aid  those  escaping,  and  to  return  all  other  of  the 
scattered  small  bands  to  Fort  Deposit. 

It  was  here  decided  that  this  fort's  position 
was  untenable  against  any  formidable  force; 
and  the  troops  set  fire  to  the  blockhouse  the  next 
morning  and  abandoned  the  fortification.  They 
retired  to  the  Portage  River,  about  eighteen 
miles  eastward  on  the  road  to  Lower  Sandusky, 
where  they  strongly  fortified  an  encamp- 
ment, and  awaited  the  oncoming  regiments  and 
artillery.  Copious  rains  ensued  and  delayed 
forward  movements. 

Fort  Winchester  again  became  the  frontier  po- 
sition of  defence  in  the  Maumee  Valley,  and  a 
shield  to  the  forts  and  the  settlers  to  the  south 
and  southwest,  who  were  again  experiencing 
great  alarm. 

Scouts  from  the  Portage  River  kept  the  move- 
ments of  the  Savages  under  observation.  On 
February  pth  they  reported  that  about  six  hun- 
dred were  gathered  on  the  north  shore  of  Maumee 
Bay.  Harrison  detached  six  hundred  soldiers 
with  one  cannon,  and  led  them  in  person  to  the 


230  The  Ohio  Country 

Savage  encampment,  which  was  abandoned  by 
the  enemy  on  approach  of  the  Americans.  They 
were  pursued,  but  effected  safe  escape  to  Fort 
Maiden. 

Harrison's  experience  with  Wayne  along  the 
lower  Maurriee,  and  his  later  observations,  led 
him  to  choose  the  site  for  the  fort  he  had  decided 
to  build,  on  the  high  right  bank  of  the  Maumee, 
a  short  distance  below  the  lowest  fording  place, 
and  near  the  foot  of  the  lowest  rapids;  this  site 
being  across  the  ravine  adjoining  (above)  the 
present  village  of  Perry sburg,  Ohio.  The  plan 
was  agreed  upon  with  Captain  Wood,  chief  en- 
gineer, to  embrace  eight  blockhouses  with  double 
timbers,  four  large  batteries,  and  a  fortified  en- 
campment twenty-five  hundred  yards  in  cir- 
cumference, the  lines  being  irregular  on  account 
of  the  slopings  of  the  land.  This  fortification 
was  begun  early  in  February  and  its  completion 
was  delayed  by  the  weather,  sickness,  and  the 
heavy  work  necessary.  As  it  approached  com- 
pletion, it  was  given  the  name  Fort  Meigs,  in 
honor  of  Ohio's  patriotic  and  efficient  Governor. 

Late  in  February,  ice  formed  around  the 
armed  British  vessels  at  Fort  Maiden,  and  a  bold 
plan  for  their  destruction  was  entered  upon; 
to  be  frustrated,  however,  by  the  weakening 


From  1812-1813  231 

courage  of  some  of  the  party  and  by  the  thawing 
of  the  ice. 

The  oversight  of  everything  devolved  upon 
General  Harrison.  Soon  after  the  favorable  be- 
ginning of  Fort  Meigs,  he  started  southward  to 
urge  forward  additional  troops  in  person,  and  to 
visit  his  sick  family  at  Cincinnati.  Captain 
Wood  had  been  sent  by  him  to  Lower  Sandusky 
to  plan  a  fortification  for  that  place.  General 
Leftwich  of  the  Virginia  militia,  whom  Captain 
Wood  afterwards  called  "an  old  phlegmatic 
Dutchman  who  was  not  even  fit  for  a  packhorse 
master,  much  less  to  be  entrusted  with  such  an 
important  command"  as  this,  was  left  in  charge 
of  the  camp  and  the  building  of  the  fort.  He 
permitted  the  work  to  cease,  and,  further,  per- 
mitted the  soldiers  to  use  the  gathered  timber 
for  fuel  while  there  was  within  easy  distance 
much  better  material  for  such  use,  the  clearing 
away  of  which  was  necessary.  Captain  Wood 
returned  the  2oth  of  February  to  find,  also,  that 
there  had  been  considerable  destruction  of  the 
work  that  was  done  before  his  departure. 

The  time  of  enlistment  of  the  Virginians,  and 
some  Pennsylvanians,  soon  expired,  and  they 
started  for  home,  leaving  only  about  five  hundred 
soldiers  at  this  important  encampment.  How- 


232  The  Ohio  Country 

ever,  work  was  resumed  with  spirit,  and  the 
encampment  limits  were  extended  to  embrace 
fourteen  acres  or  more  of  land,  for  the  purpose 
of  encompassing  and  protecting,  in  case  of  being 
besieged,  the  entire  army,  horses,  cattle,  wagons, 
and  supplies  which  were  to  be  centered  here. 


CHAPTER  XX 

A   THIRD   GREAT   DISASTER   IN   THE   FIRST  YEAR   OP 
THE   WAR 

The  Northwestern  Army  Neglected  by  the  General  Govern- 
ment— General  Harrison  not  Distracted  by  Unwise  Ad- 
visers— Investment  and  Siege  of  Fort  Meigs — Rein- 
forcements for  the  Fort  Disobey  Orders — They  are 
Surrounded  and  Captured — Further  Massacre  and  Canni- 
balism by  British  Allies — The  Enemy  Raises  Siege 
and  Retreats. 

ABOUT  the  first  of  March,  1813,  a  small 
party  of  citizens  of  Detroit  arrived  at  Fort 
Meigs,  and  reported  that  General  Proctor  had 
ordered  the  assembling  of  Canadian  militia  on 
the  yth  of  April  at  Sandwich,  preparatory  for 
an  attack  on  Fort  Meigs;  and  the  mode  of  at- 
tack, as  discussed  by  the  British  officers,  was 
to  be  by  constructing  strong  batteries  of  their 
heaviest  cannon  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Maumee  to  be  manned  by  British  artillerymen, 
while  the  Savages  were  to  invest  the  fort  on  other 

233 


234  The  Ohio  Country 

sides.  In  the  opinion  of  Major  Muir  "  a  few  hours' 
action  of  the  cannon  would  smoke  the  Americans 
out  of  the  Fort  into  the  hands  of  the  Savages." 
Many  other  boastings  were  reported. 

British  scouts  of  all  kinds  continued  active  in 
the  vicinity  of  Fort  Meigs,  and  hunting  for  game 
by  Americans  near  by  became  dangerous.  Lieu- 
tenant Walker  exposed  himself  to,  and  was 
killed  by  them. 

The  Northwestern  Army  was  being  neglected 
by  Eastern  authorities.  General  Harrison  found 
it  impossible  to  get  the  number  and  character 
of  troops  he  thought  necessary  for  the  work  to 
be  done.  Evil  advisers,  also,  annoyed  him,  and 
distracted  others,  by  their  urging  him  to  scatter 
his  insufficient  forces ;  to  increase  his  work  beyond 
the  ability  of  his  number  to  perform;  and  to 
change  his  base  of  operations  to  a  less  important 
point,  which  would  leave  the  most  desirable  part 
of  the  country  open  to  the  enemy.  But  the 
General,  by  his  indefatigable  energies,  succeeded 
in  carrying  out  his  desires,  excepting  in  the  num- 
ber of  soldiers.  The  fortunate  rising  of  the  rivers 
facilitated  the  receipt  of  food  supplies  by  boats. 

The  gathering  of  the  Savages,  Canadian  mili- 
tia, and  British  regular  troops,  according  to 
the  agreement  of  officers  before  reported,  was 


1813  235 

observed  and  reported  to  Harrison.  Fort  Meigs 
was  strengthened,  and  supplied,  to  withstand  the 
combined  attack  that  was  threatened  and  now 
appeared  inevitable  and  imminent.  Fortunately 
the  Savages  of  the  West  and  Southwest  were 
massed  with  the  British,  very  few  being  left  to 
continue  their  raids  on  the  frontier  settlements. 

On  April  28,  1813,  the  British  army  landed 
from  numerous  boats  near  the  ruins  of  their 
former  Fort  Miami,  about  two  miles  below,  and 
on  the  opposite  (left)  bank  of  the  Maumee  from 
Fort  Meigs,  where  they  made  and  continued 
their  principal  encampment  on  the  high  ground. 
The  Americans  were  powerless  to  oppose  this 
action,  as  the  Savages  had  been  gathering  in 
force  around  the  fort,  and  soon  had  it  thoroughly 
invested. 

There  had  been  continuous  rain,  and  the  efforts 
of  the  British  to  move  their  heavy  cannon,  and 
construct  batteries,  were  very  laborious  and  at- 
tended with  delays.  The  work  was  carried  for- 
ward first  only  at  night,  and  later  uninterruptedly 
day  and  night  with  strong  relays,  notwithstanding 
the  rain,  and  shots  from  Fort  Meigs  which  killed 
and  wounded  some  of  their  men.  Cannon  were 
also  taken  across  the  river  to  support  the  Savages, 
who  were  meeting  with  warm  opposition  by  the 


236  The  Ohio  Country 

garrison.  Meantime  high  traverses  of  earth  were 
being  thrown  up  by  the  garrison,  to  protect  the 
Americans  from  shots  of  the  enemy  from  all 
directions;  also  underground  resting  places  for 
the  troops,  and  refuges  from  bombs. 

On  the  early  morning  of  April  3oth,  the  enemy 
had  completed  two  batteries  nearly  opposite  Fort 
Meigs,  one  battery  of  two  twenty-four-pounder 
cannon  (the  heaviest  at  the  fort  being  two 
eighteen-pounders)  and  the  other  of  three  how- 
itzers, one  eight  inches  and  the  other  two  five 
and  a  half  inches  calibre.  Their  fire  became 
constant.  The  enemy  completed  a  third  battery 
of  three  twelve-pounder  cannon  the  night  of 
May  ist,  between  the  other  two;  also  on  the 
3d  of  May  a  battery  of  several  mortars  was  put 
in  operation  by  them  nearer  the  river.  After 
a  few  well  directed  shots  from  the  fort,  the 
cannon  in  the  ravine  to  the  eastward  were  moved 
to  a  greater  range.  The  strong  batteries  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  however,  continued 
rapid  and  carefully  directed  firing. 

On  May  4th,  General  Proctor  sent  his  Major 
Chalmers  with  a  white  flag  to  demand  surrender 
of  the  fort.  General  Harrison  promptly  replied: 
"Tell  General  Proctor  that  if  he  shall  take  the 
Fort  it  will  be  under  circumstances  that  will  do 


1813  237 

him  more  honor  than  a  thousand  surrenders." 
That  night,  about  n  o'clock,  Harrison's  anxi- 
ety regarding  the  expected  reinforcements  was 
largely  relieved  by  the  return  of  his  messenger 
Captain  Oliver,  accompanied  by  Major  David 
Trimble  and  fifteen  soldiers  who  had  evaded 
the  Savages.  They  reported  that  General  Green 
Clay's  command,  eleven  hundred  in  number,  in 
eighteen  large  flatboats  with  high  sides  to  protect 
the  soldiers  from  the  fire  of  what  Savages  they 
might  meet,  were  at  the  left  bank  of  the  Maumee 
at  the  head  of  the  Grand  Rapids,  fourteen  miles 
above,  the  river  being  so  high  that  the  pilot  de- 
clined to  run  the  rapids  in  such  a  dark  night  unless 
commanded  so  to  do. 

Captain  Hamilton  was  dispatched  to  meet 
General  Clay,  with  orders  to  detach  about  eight 
hundred  men,  land  them  early  in  the  morning 
at  a  designated  point  a  little  above  the  fort, 
capture  the  British  batteries,  spike  the  guns,  and 
come  at  once  to  the  fort. 

Colonel  William  Dudley  was  chosen  by  General 
Clay  for  this  important  work.  He  and  his 
courageous  soldiers  succeeded  in  landing  well  and 
in  capturing  the  guns;  but,  being  desirous  to 
inflict  punishment  upon  a  band  of  Savages  that 
had  opened  fire  upon  them,  they  forgot  the 


238  The  Ohio  Country 

imperative  orders  to  cross  immediately  to  the 
fort,  and  pursued  the  Savages,  who  led  them  away 
from  the  river  to  be  surrounded  by  overwhelm- 
ing numbers.  Of  his  eight  hundred  and  sixty 
men,  only  one  hundred  and  seventy  escaped  to  the 
fort.  Many  were  killed,  including  Colonel  Dud- 
ley, in  the  fierce  contest  that  continued  about 
three  hours.  Many  others  were  wounded,  scalped, 
and  stripped  of  clothing  by  the  Savages.  Those 
who  were  captured,  and  could  walk,  were  started 
for  the  ruins  of  the  British  Fort  Miami  near  the 
enemy's  encampment. 

Although  now  under  direct  command  of  the 
British,  many  were  slain  by  the  Savages  while 
on  this  march;  and  the  stripping  of  Americans, 
dead  and  alive,  of  their  clothing  and  other  pos- 
sessions was  freely  indulged.  At  Fort  Miami, 
the  prisoners  were  compelled  by  the  Savages  to 
run  the  gauntlet,  where  many  more  were  killed 
by  the  British  allies  with  war  clubs,  scalping 
knives,  tomahawks,  and  pistols.  Major  Richard- 
son, of  the  4ist  British  Regiment,  wrote  that 
forty  of  these  prisoners  were  thus  killed  before 
the  others  could  be  taken  on  board  the  gunboats. 
He  continues: 

"On  the  evening  of  the  second  day  after  this  event 
I  accompanied  Major  Muir,  of  the  4ist,  in  a  ram- 


1813  239 

ble  throughout  the  encampment  of  the  Indians, 
distant  some  few  hundred  yards  from  our  own. 
The  spectacle  there  offered  to  our  view  was  at  once 
of  the  most  ludicrous  and  revolting  nature.  In 
various  directions  were  lying  the  trunks  and  boxes 
taken  from  the  boats  of  the  American  division,  and 
the  plunderers  were  busily  occupied  in  displaying 
their  riches,  carefully  examining  each  article,  and 
attempting  to  define  its  use.  Several  were  decked 
out  in  the  uniforms  of  officers;  and  although  em- 
barrassed to  the  last  degree  in  their  movements,  and 
dragging  with  difficulty  the  heavy  military  boots 
with  which  their  legs  were  for  the  first  time  covered, 
strutted  forth  much  to  the  admiration  of  their  less 
fortunate  comrades.  Some  were  habited  in  plain 
clothes ;  others  had  their  bodies  clad  with  clean  white 
shirts,  contrasting  in  no  ordinary  manner  with  the 
swarthiness  of  their  skins;  all  wore  some  articles  of 
decoration,  and  their  tents  were  ornamented  with 
saddles,  bridles,  rifles,  daggers,  swords  and  pistols, 
many  of  which  were  handsomely  mounted  and  of 
curious  workmanship.  Such  was  the  ridiculous  part 
of  the  picture. 

"But,  mingled  with  these  in  various  directions, 
were  to  be  seen  the  scalps  of  the  slain  drying  in  the 
sun,  stained  on  the  flesh  side  with  vermilion  dyes, 
and  dangling  in  air  as  they  hung  suspended  from 
poles  to  which  they  were  attached,  together  with 
hoops  of  various  sizes  on  which  were  stretched  por- 
tions of  human  skin  taken  from  various  parts  of  the 
human  body,  principally  the  hand  and  foot  and  yet 
covered  with  the  nails  of  those  parts ;  while  scattered 
along  the  ground  were  visible  the  members  from 
which  they  had  been  separated,  and  which  were 


240  The  Ohio  Country 

serving  as  nutriment  to  the  wolf-dogs  by  which  the 
Savages  were  accompanied. 

"As  we  continued  to  advance  into  the  heart  of 
the  encampment  a  scene  of  a  more  disgusting  nature 
arrested  our  attention.  Stopping  at  the  entrance 
of  a  tent  occupied  by  the  Minoumini  [Menomeni] 
tribe  we  observed  them  seated  around  a  large  fire 
over  which  was  suspended  a  kettle  containing  their 
meal.  Each  warrior  had  a  piece  of  string  hanging 
over  the  edge  of  the  vessel,  and  to  this  was  suspended 
a  food  which,  it  will  be  presumed  we  heard  not  with- 
out loathing,  consisted  of  a  part  of  an  American. 
Any  expression  of  our  feelings,  as  we  declined  the 
invitation  they  gave  us  to  join  in  their  repast,  would 
have  been  resented  by  the  Savages  without  ceremony 
[sic];  we  had,  therefore,  the  prudence  to  excuse  our- 
selves under  the  plea  that  we  had  already  taken 
our  food,  and  we  hastened  to  remove  from  a  sight  so 
revolting  to  humanity." 

The  5th  of  May,  1813,  was  a  sad  day  at  Fort 
Meigs  on  account  of  this,  the  third  great  loss  suf- 
fered by  the  Army  of  the  Northwest  in  less  than 
one  year  after  the  beginning  of  the  War  of  1812. 

General  Harrison,  from  his  outlook,  saw  the 
beginning  of  the  fatal  error  of  Colonel  Dudley's 
doomed  troops.  He  signalled,  repeating  his  for- 
mer command  to  come  at  once  to  the  fort,  but 
his  signals  were  lost  to  the  enthusiastic  men, 
"whose  excessive  ardor  .  .  .  always  the  case 
when  Kentucky  militia  were  engaged  .  .  .  was 


1813  241 

the  source  of  all  their  misfortunes."  A  volun- 
teer was  called  for,  to  convey  to  Colonel  Dudley 
the  imperative  command  of  the  General  to  retreat 
to  the  fort.  Lieutenant  Campbell  responded;  but 
he  arrived  near  the  farther  shore  too  late. 

The  other  troops  of  General  Clay's  command 
became  separated  in  their  efforts  to  land  from  the 
rapid  current,  but,  with  the  aid  of  a  sortie  sent 
out  by  General  Harrison,  fought  their  way  to  the 
fort  through  the  Savages  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  river. 

The  spiking  of  eleven  of  the  British  cannon  by 
Dudley's  command  was  done,  from  want  of  any- 
thing better,  with  ramrods  of  their  small  guns. 
These  rods  were  readily  removed  by  the  British 
gunners,  who  then  with  them  began  again  a  vig- 
orous fire  upon  the  fort. 

The  American  supply  of  balls  and  shells  for 
their  twelve-  and  eighteen-pounder  cannon  was 
small,  and  these  guns  answered  those  of  the  Brit- 
ish only  occasionally  and  to  the  best  advantage. 
To  increase  the  supply  a  gill  of  whiskey  was  offered 
the  soldiers  for  every  British  ball  that  could  be 
found  of  these  sizes  and  delivered  to  the  keeper 
of  the  magazine. 

The  free  license  given  the  Savages  in  their 
butcheries  and  cannibalism  of  Colonel  Dudley 

16 


242  The  Ohio  Country 

and  his  brave  men  sated  them,  and  they  began 
to  desert  their  allies,  the  British.  Proctor  again 
sent  a  white  flag  to  demand  surrender  of  the  fort. 
The  reply  was  such  as  to  indicate  that  the  de- 
mand was  considered  an  insult  by  Harrison;  and 
upon  its  receipt  the  enemy  began  preparations 
to  raise  the  siege.  The  efforts  to  remove  the  siege 
guns  were  made  dangerous  and  delayed  by  the 
American  cannon,  although  the  British  gunboats 
were  sent  as  near  Fort  Meigs  as  practicable  to 
divert  attention. 

As  part  of  his  report  to  Governor  Sir  George 
Prevost,  Proctor  wrote : 

"I  had  not  the  option  of  retaining  my  position  on 
the  Miami  [Maumee].  Half  of  the  militia  had  left 
us.  .  .  .  Before  the  ordnance  could  be  withdrawn 
from  batteries  I  was  left  with  Tecumseh  and  less  than 
twenty  chiefs  and  warriors — a  circumstance  which 
strongly  proves  that,  under  present  circumstances 
at  least,  our  Indian  force  is  not  a  disposable  one, 
or  permanent,  though  occasionally  a  most  powerful 
aid." 

Governor  Prevost  reported  to  his  superior 
that  the  battles  on  the  Maumee  "terminated  in 
the  complete  defeat  of  the  enemy,  and  capture, 
dispersion,  or  destruction  of  thirteen  hundred 
men."  The  British  loss  was  reported  as  fifteen 


1813  243 

killed,  forty-seven  wounded,  and  forty-four  taken 
prisoners.  The  loss  of  the  Savages  was  far 
greater,  but,  as  usual,  the  number  was  impos- 
sible to  obtain.  The  American  loss  was  eighty- 
one  killed  and  one  hundred  and  eighty-nine 
wounded,  of  which  number  seventeen  were 
killed  and  sixty-five  wounded  within  the  forti- 
fied enclosure.  The  Savages  took  away  between 
thirty  and  forty  American  prisoners,  mostly  of 
Dudley's  defeated  command. 

On  May  Qth,  immediately  after  the  departure 
of  the  enemy,  General  Harrison  sent  out  a  de- 
tachment to  gather  all  the  bodies  of  the  killed 
they  could  find.  The  indifference  of  the  British 
in  their  nominal  burying  of  the  dead  of  Colonel 
Dudley's  command,  in  contradiction  of  Major 
Richardson's  statement,  was  shown  by  finding 
fragments  of  forty-five  Kentuckians,  which  the 
Americans  conveyed  across  the  river,  and  buried 
with  the  honors  of  war  in  the  fort's  cemetery. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

SECOND  GREAT  EFFORT  OF  THE   ENEMY 
UNAVAILING 

The  British  Gather  More  Savage  Allies — More  Preparations 
by  Americans  for  Advancing  upon  the  Enemy — Cele- 
bration of  Fourth  of  July  by  Soldiers  in  the  Forest — 
The  Enemy  Becoming  More  Active — Fort  Seneca  Built  to 
Retain  Friendship  of  Aged  Aborigines — Second  Invest- 
ment of  Fort  Meigs  by  Increased  Force — Scheme  for  its 
Capture  Unavailing — Second  Retreat  of  Enemy  from 
Fort  Meigs. 

PROCTOR  made  a  proposition  to  exchange 
his  American  prisoners  for  the  Aborigines 
of  the  frontiers,  aged  and  infirm  men,  who  were 
not  prisoners  of,  or  hostile  against,  the  United 
States.  Of  course  such  proposition  could  not 
be  entertained ;  but  Harrison  replied  that  he  would 
refer  it  to  the  President. 

Tecumseh's   and    Proctor's   emissaries   to   the 
more  distant  tribes  of  Aborigines  had  gathered 

large  numbers  of  them,  and,  in  June,  1813,  more 

244 


1813  245 

than  one  thousand  of  the  most  savage  and  de- 
praved were  marched  by  their  chiefs  and  a 
Scotch  trader,  Dickson,  from  their  rendezvous 
at  Chicago  to  Fort  Maiden.  Colonel  Richard 
M.  Johnson,  who  had  left  Congress  and  organized 
a  regiment  of  seven  hundred  mounted  Ken- 
tuckians,  was  directed  to  move  around  the  head- 
waters of  the  Auglaize  and  Maumee.  About 
the  time  of  the  passing  of  the  western  Savages 
through  southern  Michigan,  Colonel  Johnson  was 
circulating  through  northern  Indiana,  meeting 
and  dispersing  Savages  near  Fort  Wayne  and  to 
the  northwest ;  but  he  did  not  learn  of  his  nearness 
to  the  route  of  the  western  British  reinforcements 
until  later,  and  far  distant. 

Meantime  supplies  were  being  hastened  forward 
with  good  success,  and  stored  at  Fort  Winchester 
and  other  posts  convenient  for  distribution  to 
the  army  which  was  being  prepared  for  advancing 
against  the  enemy.  Harrison,  who  was  at  Frank- 
linton  (now  Columbus,  Ohio),  hastening  forward 
this  work,  received  an  express  from  General  Clay 
at  Fort  Meigs,  informing  him  that  a  Frenchman 
whom  the  British  captured  at  Dudley's  defeat 
had  escaped  from  Fort  Maiden  and  informed  him 
(Clay)  that  Proctor  was  about  to  make  a  second 
attack  on  Fort  Meigs  with  an  increased  force; 


246  The  Ohio  Country 

and  that  he  (Clay)  had  ordered  to  Fort  Meigs 
Colonel  Johnson's  command,  then  at  Fort  Win- 
chester after  guarding  boatloads  of  supplies  from 
Forts  Barbee,  Wayne,  and  Amanda. 

Johnson,  upon  receiving  Clay's  dispatch  in  the 
afternoon,  although  his  horses  were  all  much 
worn,  and  some  disabled,  by  their  continuous 
marchings,  gave  orders  for  the  march  down  the 
Maumee,  and,  within  half  an  hour,  most  of  the 
force  began  to  ford  the  river  just  above  Fort 
Winchester  point,  leaving  with  the  garrison 
those  unable  to  march.  The  provisions  and  bag- 
gage in  the  boats  soon  followed  the  cavalcade, 
and  all  stopped  for  the  night  at  General  Win- 
chester's Camp  Number  Three.  Early  next  morn- 
ing, the  march  was  resumed,  and  they  arrived  at 
Grand  Rapids  at  five  o'clock  that  evening.  Here 
another  dispatch  was  received  from  General 
Clay  cautioning  against  ambuscade  by  Savages 
who  were  lying  in  wait  by  their  route.  This 
information  was  communicated  to  the  soldiers, 
who  seconded  the  proposal  to  proceed,  notwith- 
standing the  enemy.  A  guard  was  left  at  Grand 
Rapids  with  the  boats,  which  were  to  continue 
the  journey  at  daylight  the  next  morning,  the 
main  body  resuming  the  march,  and,  without 
serious  interruption,  arriving  opposite  Fort  Meigs 


1813  247 

at  ten  o'clock,  where  they  encamped  for  the  night. 
The  fort's  daylight  gun  so  frightened  the  horses 
that  they  bolted  through  the  camp,  over  several 
of  the  soldiers,  hurting  them  severely,  and  con- 
tinued to  run  down  the  river  for  a  half-mile  or 
more,  being  caught  after  much  trouble  and  risk. 
About  ten  o'clock,  the  command  resumed  the 
march,  and,  passing  above  the  foot  of  the  lowest 
rapids,  forded  the  Maumee  and  encamped  just 
above  the  stockade  of  Fort  Meigs. 

Fort  Meigs,  itself,  was  now  in  better  condition 
for  defence  than  at  the  time  of  its  siege.  The 
damages  done  by  the  British  guns  had  been  re- 
paired, and  the  walls  strengthened;  the  trees, 
logs,  and  stumps  had  been  cleared  away  for  a 
greater  distance,  and  the  British  battery  mounds 
levelled.  Better  drainage  and  sanitary  conven- 
iences had  also  been  established.  Notwith- 
standing this  improvement,  however,  the  garrison 
had  suffered  much  sickness,  and,  during  June  and 
July,  intermittent  and  virulent  remittent  fevers 
prevailed,  which,  with  dysentery  and  other  com- 
plications, proved  largely  fatal.  There  were 
several  deaths  each  day  in  the  small  garrison, 
the  aggregate  being  over  one  hundred  in  a  period 
of  six  weeks. 

The   24th   Regiment   United   States   Infantry 


248  The  Ohio  Country 

under  Colonel  Anderson,  from  Upper  Sandusky, 
Captain  George  Croghan  with  part  of  the  lyth 
Regiment,  and  Colonel  Ball  with  his  squad  of 
cavalry  were  all  hurried  forward. 

After  ordering  these  movements  by  express, 
General  Harrison  started  northward,  and,  upon 
overtaking  Colonel  Anderson  in  the  evening  of 
June  26th,  and  learning  that  Savages  were  gath- 
ering below  Fort  Meigs,  detached  three  hundred 
soldiers  to  make  forced  march  there.  Finding 
quiet  prevailing  to  the  eastward  along  Lake  Erie, 
Harrison  proceeded  to  Fort  Meigs,  where  he  arrived 
the  28th,  to  find  that  Johnson  also  had  arrived. 
Johnson  was  ordered  to  detach  one  hundred  and 
fifty  from  his  command,  and  to  reconnoitre  the 
country  to  the  river  Raisin,  which  was  done  with- 
out discovering  much  force  of  the  enemy;  but 
this  march  temporarily  thwarted  the  designs  of 
a  force  of  Savages  which  had  been  fitted  out  from 
Fort  Maiden  to  harass  the  Americans  wherever 
possible. 

The  extent  of  frontier  under  the  surveillance 
of  General  Harrison  was  great;  and  it  required 
constant  watchfulness  and  great  executive  ability 
to  guard  against  invasion,  and  to  gather,  and  keep, 
the  means  and  men  for  the  desired  advance 
against  the  watchful  and  numerous  enemy. 


249 

On  the  ist  of  July  the  General  again  went 
eastward,  to  arrange  the  defences  and  garrisons 
along  the  Lake  to  the  Cuyahoga  River.  He 
directed  Colonel  Johnson  to  take  post  at  the 
Huron  River,  in  northern  Ohio.  On  Johnson's 
way  thither  he  arrived  on  the  4th  of  July  at 
Fort  Stephenson,  where  the  few  soldiers  compos- 
ing that  garrison  were  celebrating  the  National 
Holiday,  and,  upon  their  urgent  request,  he  de- 
livered an  address  that  roused  their  patriotism 
to  a  high  pitch. 

At  Fort  Meigs,  also,  there  was  a  grateful  cele- 
bration of  this  anniversary  day  by  firing  the 
National  Salute;  by  liberating  those  who  had 
been  imprisoned  by  court-martial ;  and  by  increase 
of  rations.  And  so  it  was  at  all  the  posts  of 
the  Northwestern  Army.  Thus,  throughout  the 
forest,  the  hearts  of  the  soldiers  were  cheered, 
and  they  were  made  more  contented  with  their 
condition  by  these  simple  yet  effective  wil- 
derness celebrations  which  gave  a  renewed  and 
a  broader  significance  to  their  service  to  their 
country. 

The  term  of  enlistment  of  some  of  the  garrison 
of  Fort  Meigs  having  expired,  and  they  not  being 
willing  to  continue  their  service,  a  little  diversion 
was  planned  to  start  them  homeward  with  good 


250  The  Ohio  Country 

cheer.     General  Clay,  therefore,  issued  the  fol- 
lowing General  Order,  dated  July  8th,  viz.: 

"The  commanding  General  directs  that,  the  Old 
Guard,  on  being  released,  will  march  out  of  camp 
and  discharge  their  guns  at  a  target  placed  in  some 
secure  position ;  and  as  a  reward  for  those  who  may 
excel  in  shooting,  eight  gills  of  whiskey  will  be  given 
to  the  nearest  shot,  and  four  gills  to  the  second. 
The  officer  of  the  guard  will  cause  a  return,  signed 
for  that  purpose,  signifying  the  names  of  the  men 
entitled  to  the  reward." 

The  Savages  were  becoming  more  numerous 
and  troublesome  along  the  Maumee  River.  Four- 
teen soldiers  whose  term  of  enlistment  had  ex- 
pired at  Fort  Meigs  desired  to  return  home  by 
way  of  Fort  Winchester.  They  were  attacked 
by  Savages  early  on  their  journey,  and  but  two 
escaped.  Escorts  of  supply  boats  were  attacked; 
but  they  inflicted  injury  upon  the  enemy. 

Harrison  again  held  council  with  what  Dela- 
ware, Seneca,  Shawnee,  and  Wyandot  aged  non- 
combatants  remained  accessible  to  him,  some  of 
them  being  reported  as  desirous  of  going  to  the 
British.  In  order  to  more  fully  stimulate  and 
guard  their  constancy  to  the  United  States,  he 
established  headquarters  at  the  Seneca  town,  by 
the  Sandusky  River,  nine  miles  above  Lower 


1813  251 

Sandusky  (now  Fremont,  Ohio)  and  nine  miles 
below  Fort  Ball,  on  the  site  of  the  present  Tiffin; 
and  at  this  Seneca  town  he  built  Fort  Seneca 
during  the  middle  and  latter  part  of  July,  1813. 
On  July  2oth,  General  Proctor,  with  an  army 
estimated  to  number  at  least  five  thousand,  ar- 
rived at  the  mouth  of  the  Maumee  River  for 
his  second  threatened  investment  of  Fort  Meigs 
twelve  miles  above;  and  the  next  morning  a 
picket  guard  of  a  corporal  and  ten  soldiers  about 
three  hundred  yards  from  Fort  Meigs  were  sur- 
prised by  Savages,  and  all  but  three  were  killed 
or  captured.  The  number  of  Savages  now  with 
the  British  was  evidently  greater  than  they  had 
ever  before  marshalled;  and  it  was  probably  one 
of  the  greatest  collections  of  such  warriors  ever 
assembled  in  America  for  war — the  number  being 
variously  estimated  at  from  two  to  four  thousand. 
M'Afee  records  the  number  of  warriors  as  about 
two  thousand  and  five  hundred,  and  the  number 
of  Aborigines  fed  each  day  by  the  British  at  this 
time  from  Maiden  (now  Amherstburg)  as  seven 
thousand,  including  the  women  and  children. 
It  was  also  reported  that  there  were  with  the 
regulars  and  militia  from  Maiden,  one  thousand 
British  regulars  from  Niagara.  Undoubtedly 
efforts  had  been  put  forth  to  gather  sufficient 


252  The  Ohio  Country 

force,  in  their  estimation,  to  crush  the  United 
States  barriers  between  them  and  the  liberty 
of  the  country  west  of  the  Allegheny  Moun- 
tains. The  Savage  allies  of  the  British  were 
numerously  investing  Fort  Meigs.  They  suc- 
ceeded in  capturing  some  horses  and  oxen,  but 
their  shots  were  not  effective  on  the  garrison, 
while  meeting  losses  themselves. 

Soon  after  midnight,  Lieutenant  Mont  joy  with 
twenty  United  States  troops  arrived  at  the  fort 
from  the  Portage  River  blockhouse,  having  es- 
caped the  Savages  with  the  loss  of  one  man. 

General  Clay  had  sent  Captain  McCune  of  the 
Ohio  militia  to  inform  General  Harrison  of  the 
approach  of  the  enemy.  This  messenger  was 
returned  to  the  fort  to  report  that  reinforcements 
would  soon  be  forthcoming;  and  Harrison  again 
suggested  renewed  caution  to  guard  against  being 
surprised. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  George  Paul,  with  his 
United  States  Infantry,  and  Colonel  Ball,  with 
his  dragoons,  together  numbering  four  hundred 
and  fifty,  were  ordered  forward;  also  Brigadier- 
Generals  McArthur  and  Cass  (who  had  recently 
been  promoted)  with  their  Ohio  troops.  Five 
hundred  additional  United  States  troops  were 
approaching  from  Fort  Massac  under  Colonel 


1813  253 

Theodore  Dye  Owings  (Owens?).  These,  with 
the  one  hundred  and  forty  regulars  who  were 
building  Fort  Seneca,  and  those  at  Forts  Stephen- 
son  and  Meigs,  would  have  been  a  sufficient  num- 
ber, perhaps,  for  the  defence  of  these  posts,  had 
the  distant  commands  been  near. 

General  Clay  presented  a  bold  front.  On  July 
23d,  he  sent  Captain  McCune  with  the  report 
that  about  eight  hundred  Savages  were  passing 
up  the  opposite  (left)  bank  of  the  Maumee,  possi- 
bly to  attack  Fort  Winchester.  Harrison  be- 
lieved, correctly,  that  this  movement  was  only 
a  feint,  but,  after  a  council  with  his  staff,  scouts 
were  sent  out;  and  McCune  was  sent  back  to  the 
fort  with  this  information,  and  with  further 
precautionary  suggestions  regarding  the  wily 
enemy.  The  sequel  proved  the  wisdom  of  the 
Commander-in-Chief. 

Accompanied  by  James  Doolan,  a  French- 
Irish  Canadian,  McCune  arrived  near  Fort  Meigs 
about  daybreak,  they  having  lost  their  way  in 
the  night.  At  the  edge  of  the  fort's  clearing 
they  were  beset  by  Savages,  who  were  also  on 
horseback,  and  they  were  pursued  several  miles 
up  the  river;  but  here,  again,  the  prowess  of  the 
American  backwoodsmen  outwitted  the  Savages. 
They  arrived  in  the  fort  safely,  to  report  that 


254  The  Ohio  Country 

no  more  troops  could  be  spared  until  further 
arrival  from  those  distant,  when  Harrison  would 
march  to  the  support  of  the  fort  if  necessary. 

The  evening  of  July  24th,  Colonel  Gaines  with 
two  hundred  soldiers  made,  from  Fort  Meigs,  a 
detour  of  the  edge  of  the  woods,  to  reconnoitre 
the  enemy  and  any  batteries  they  might  be  con- 
structing. A  stronger  detachment  from  the  Brit- 
ish encampment  was  started  to  intercept  the  return 
of  the  Americans,  but  it  did  not  arrive  in  time 
for  an  engagement.  The  British  moved  their 
main  force  to  the  right  bank  of  the  river  on  the 
25th,  but  did  not  approach  within  good  range 
of  the  fort's  cannon. 

Proctor  and  Tecumseh  had  formulated  an  in- 
genious strategic  plan  for  the  capture  of  Fort 
Meigs  at  night,  with  little  destruction  of  life  to 
their  commands.  The  British  secreted  themselves 
in  the  deep  ravine  near  the  fort  to  the  eastward. 
Tecumseh,  with  a  large  number  of  Savages, 
opened  a  brisk  sham  battle  along  the  road  to 
Lower  Sandusky,  as  near  the  fort  as  practicable, 
to  make  it  appear  to  the  garrison  that  they  were 
attacking  an  American  force  coming  to  reinforce 
the  fort.  This  ruse  was  for  the  purpose  of  draw- 
ing part  of  the  garrison  from  the  fort,  to  allow 
the  British,  as  with  Colonel  Dudley's  command, 


1813  255 

to  cut  off  their  return,  and  leave  them  to  be  sur- 
rounded and  massacred  by  the  horde  of  Savages, 
while  the  British  would  enter  the  gates  under 
cover  of  the  darkness,  take  the  garrison  by  sur- 
prise, and  thus  capture  the  fort.  Many  soldiers 
of  the  garrison  desired  to  sally  forth  and  succor 
their  supposed  hard-pressed  comrades,  but  the 
firmness  of  General  Clay,  supported  by  the  memory 
of  repeated  cautionings  of  his  Commander-in- 
Chief,  prevailed.  Rain,  and  several  discharges 
of  cannon  in  the  fort,  soon  put  a  stop  to  the  sham 
battle.1 

Remembering  their  past  experience  in  the 
spring,  and  noting  that  the  fort  was  in  better 
condition  to  withstand  their  attack  than  for- 
merly, the  British  departed  from  Fort  Meigs, 
July  27th,  without  further  effort  to  mislead  or 
capture  it;  having  been  in  its  vicinity  about 
thirty  hours. 

1  See  account  of  this  ruse  by  the  British  Major  Richardson 
in  the  London  New  Monthly  Magazine  for  December,  1826. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

ANOTHER  SIGNAL  REPULSE  OF  THE  ALLIED  ENEMY 

British  Surround  and  Attack  Fort  Stephenson — They  are 
Brilliantly  Repulsed  by  Captain  Croghan — They 
again  Retreat  to  Fort  Maiden. 

AFTER  retreating  from  Fort  Meigs  the  second 
time,  a  good  part  of  the  British  force  sailed 
around  through  Lake  Erie,  through  Sandusky 
Bay,  and  up  Sandusky  River,  to  Fort  Stephen- 
son,  expecting  to  find  it  an  easy  prey.  Upon 
their  arrival  they  found  it  already  invested  by 
their  allies,  the  Savages,  who  had  marched  across 
from  Fort  Meigs. 

Here  was  another  illustration  of  the  good 
grasp  of  the  general  situation,  and  of  the  excellent 
judgment  displayed  by  General  Harrison.  He 
did  not  expect,  nor  fear,  that  the  enemy  would 
expend  much  more  effort  for  the  capture  of  Fort 
Meigs,  but  he  did  expect  them  to  direct  their 

energies  to  his  defences  of  the  right  wing  which 

256 


1813 

possessed  large  stores,  and  were  not  so  strongly 
fortified. 

Their  investment  of  Fort  Stephenson  the  first 
and  second  days  of  August,  and  their  repulse 
by  that  garrison  of  but  one  hundred  and  sixty 
men  with  but  one  small  cannon,  under  command 
of  the  brilliant,  young  (about  twenty-one  years 
of  age),  courageous,  and  most  patriotic  Captain 
(afterwards  Major)  George  Croghan,  nephew  of 
General  William  Clark,  is  one  of  the  most  re- 
markable events  in  the  War  of  1812.  It  was 
preposterous  to  presume  that  such  small  garrison 
in  such  weak  fortification  could  withstand  such 
a  large,  well-equipped,  and  experienced  investing 
force;  hence  General  Harrison  had  ordered  young 
Croghan  to  burn  the  small  amount  of  stores  with 
the  fort  and  take  the  garrison  to  Fort  Seneca 
if  the  enemy  approached.  But  Captain  Croghan 
was  surrounded  by  Savages  before  the  British 
appeared,  and  he,  and  his  garrison,  preferred  to 
die  at  their  posts,  if  die  they  must,  rather  than  be 
massacred  by  the  Savages  in  an  effort  to  escape. 
This  determination,  and  their  alertness,  with 
good  judgment  in  taking  advantage  of  every 
opportunity,  led  to  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
victories  of  American  arms,  with  the  loss  of  but 
one  man  killed  and  seven  slightly  wounded,  while 
17 


258  The  Ohio  Country 

inflicting  a  loss  on  the  enemy  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  of  August  ist,  the  British 
gunboats  and  troops  came  through  Sandusky 
Bay  and  up  Sandusky  River  to  within  sight  of 
Fort  Stephenson.  They  had  made  sure  against 
retreat  of  the  garrison,  and  to  intercept  rein- 
forcements. Captain  Croghan  was  summoned 
to  surrender,  but  he  replied  that  he  and  the  garri- 
son were  determined  to  defend  the  fort.  After 
some  parleying  by  the  British,  with  efforts  to 
intimidate,  their  cannon  and  howitzers  for 
twenty-four  hours  threw  balls  and  shells;  with 
little  effect,  however,  until  they  concentrated 
on  the  northwest  angle  of  the  fort,  evidently 
to  form  a  breach  for  assault.  The  effect  of  their 
shot  was  here  guarded  against  to  some  extent  by 
bags  of  sand  and  sacks  of  flour  being  piled  against 
the  stockade.  The  single  six-pounder  cannon  in 
the  fort  was  fired  only  at  long  intervals  on  account 
of  the  scanty  supply  of  ammunition. 

Toward  the  evening  of  August  2d  an  assailing 
party  of  the  British  advanced  in  the  direction 
expected,  and  to  command  which  the  only  cannon 
had  been  placed,  masked,  and  doubly  charged 
with  slugs  and  grape-shot.  At  an  opportune 
moment,  when  the  first  column  of  the  enemy  had 


1813  259 

advanced  into  the  ditch  within  ten  or  fifteen  paces 
of  the  six-pounder,  the  masked  port  was  opened 
and  the  cannon  discharged  with  dire  effect.  The 
second  column,  that  advanced  to  take  the  place 
of  their  fallen  comrades,  soon  met  great  loss  and 
confusion  from  the  small  arrrfs  of  the  garrison, 
which  completed  the  disastrous  work  of  the 
defence  in  this  quarter.  The  remnant  of  the 
assailing  columns  retreated  precipitately  and  in 
confusion.  Two  hundred  grenadiers,  who  were  to 
assail  the  south  side  of  the  fort,  did  not  attain 
their  position  until  later.  They  were  so  warmly 
opposed  by  the  small  arms  of  the  garrison  that 
they  soon  withdrew. 

During  the  night,  which  was  now  come,  Gen- 
eral Proctor  sent  Savages  to  gather  the  wounded 
and  dead,  which  they  did  with  those  without  the 
range  of  the  garrison's  muskets  in  the  darkness. 
About  daylight  the  British  and  their  savage 
allies  departed  from  the  river  and  bay,  leaving 
a  small  vessel  containing  clothing  and  military 
stores,  their  retreat  being  hastened  by  reports 
of  rallying  Americans  from  Fort  Seneca. 

The  garrison  supplied  the  wounded  enemy 
with  water,  at  first  in  pails  let  down  outside  the 
stockade,  and  later  through  an  opening  made 
under  two  stockade  timbers,  through  which  the 


260  The  Ohio  Country 

wounded  were  singly  taken  within  the  enclosure 
and  well  cared  for.  The  British  left  behind  of 
their  dead,  three  officers  and  twenty-five  privates; 
and  of  their  wounded,  twenty-six  who  were  taken 
prisoners. 

Scouts  were  sent  early  in  the  morning  down 
the  river  and  bay;  but  no  enemy  was  discovered 
other  than  a  few  straggling  British  soldiers  who 
were  surprised  and  captured  by  the  Wyandot 
Aborigine  scouts,  recently  admitted  to  the  Amer- 
ican army,  who  quickly  delivered  them  at  head- 
quarters. These  prisoners  evidently  expected  to 
be  massacred  like  the  American  prisoners  cap- 
tured by  the  British  allies;  and  their  trepidation 
and  anxiety  produced  much  merriment  among 
their  captors,  who  enjoyed  the  recollection  of  it 
for  a  long  time. 

General  Proctor  sent  his  army  surgeon,  Banner, 
to  Fort  Stephenson  to  inquire  after  his  wounded 
soldiers.  This  messenger  was  treated  courteously 
and  given  every  opportunity  for  personal  exam- 
ination; which  was  in  great  contrast  to  the  treat- 
ment by  the  British  of  Surgeon  McKeehan  of  the 
Ohio  militia,  who  was  sent  by  General  Harrison 
to  Amherstburg,  January  31,  1813,  to  inquire 
after  the  wounded  of  General  Winchester's  army, 
following  the  sad  defeat  and  massacre  at  the  river 


1813 

Raisin.  After  receiving  much  discourteous  treat- 
ment, Surgeon  McKeehan  was  arrested  by  order 
cf  Proctor  and  sent  to  a  dungeon  at  Montreal. 

Harrison  was  informed  that  many  of  the  Sav- 
ages with  the  British  were  discouraged  and  dis- 
satisfied with  the  war  after  their  failures  at  Fort 
Meigs  and  their  repulse  at  Fort  Stephenson. 
He  therefore  sent  to  them  at  Brownstown,  below 
Detroit,  some  of  his  most  confidential  Wyandot 
chiefs,  to  confer  with  Chief  Walk-in-the- Water, 
and  the  Wyandot  warriors  under  him,  for  the 
purpose  of  spreading  the  disaffection  toward  the 
British,  and  to  secure  their  neutrality.  Such 
were  the  alertness  and  discipline  of  the  British, 
however,  that  Colonel  McKee  and  Captain  Elliott 
were  at  once  notified  of  the  visit  and  were  present 
to  prevent  or  neutralize  the  proposition.  There- 
upon the  British  renewed  their  work  among  the 
Aborigines,  extending  it  to  the  neutrals  by  the 
headwaters  of  the  Auglaize  River,  the  St.  Marys, 
and  the  Miami  to  the  southward. 

The  signal  success  of  Captain  Croghan  at  Fort 
Stephenson  ended  the  invasion  of  Ohio  by  the 
British.  General  Harrison  renewed  his  efforts  to 
carry  the  war  into  the  enemy's  country;  and  these 
efforts  soon  resulted  in  driving  the  British  from 
western  Ontario. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

THE  ENTIRE  FORCE  OF  THE  BRITISH  ON  LAKE  ERIE 
CAPTURED 

Renewed  Efforts  for  Squadron  of  Armed  Vessels  Successful  — 
Oliver  H.  Perry  Builder  and  Commander — His  Diffi- 
culties— He  Sails  for  the  Enemy — Communicates  with 
Harrison — Meets  and  Captures  All  of  the  British  Squad- 
ron— Perry's  Despatches  after  the  Battle — The  Killed 
and  Wounded — Description  of  Squadrons. 

'"THE  early  suggestions  of  General  Hull  for  a 
*•  United  States  fleet  or  squadron  of  armed 
vessels  on  Lake  Erie  were  reported  upon  favor- 
ably, and,  in  the  spring  of  1812,  Commodore 
Stewart  took  action  for  this  purpose.  There  was, 
however,  but  little  result  from  this  effort.  In 
September,  1812,  Lieutenant  Jesse  D.  Elliott  was 
sent  to  Black  Rock,  now  part  of  the  city  of 
Buffalo,  for  the  purpose  of  building  such  vessels. 
On  October  8th  two  armed  vessels,  the  Detroit 
and  Caledonia,  arrived  from  the  British  at  De- 
troit, and  anchored  under  the  guns  of  Fort  Erie, 

262 


From  1812-1813  263 

across  the  Niagara  River  from,  and  a  little  above 
Black  Rock.  Lieutenant  Elliott  planned  their 
capture  at  night,  and,  with  the  aid  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  (afterward  General)  Winfield  Scott,  he 
succeeded,  after  a  series  of  remarkable  experiences 
and  narrow  escapes.  The  Detroit  was  partly 
built  by  General  Hull,  and  went  to  the  British 
with  his  surrender  of  the  fort  at  Detroit;  and  her 
first  name,  Adams,  was  changed  by  her  captors. 
The  British  rallied  in  such  force,  and  so  per- 
sistently, from  Fort  Erie  to  her  relief  against 
Lieutenant  Elliott's  attack  and  capture,  that  the 
Americans  burned  her  on  the  Niagara  River  to 
prevent  her  recapture.  They  were  more  suc- 
cessful in  getting  the  Caledonia  away  from  the 
British.  Little  was  accomplished  on  new  vessels, 
however. 

General  Harrison  had  urged  the  building  of 
vessels  sufficient  to  cope  with  the  increasing 
British  squadron.  This  work  was  seriously  under- 
taken in  the  spring  of  1813  under  the  direction 
of  Commodore  Isaac  Chauncey.  This  officer 
settled  upon  Master-Commander  Oliver  Hazard 
Perry,  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  to  produce  the 
desired  squadron.  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  the  his- 
toric Presque  Isle,  had  been  selected  as  the  place 
of  rendezvous,  and  Commander  Perry  arrived 


264  The  Ohio  Country 

there  for  the  work  March  27,  1813.  The  work, 
already  well  begun,  now  progressed  rapidly. 

The  British  Fort  George,  by  the  Niagara  River, 
was  captured  on  May  2  yth,  Perry  there  acting 
an  important  part.  The  Niagara  frontier  now 
being  free  from  the  enemy,  five  small  vessels 
(the  Caledonia,  the  small  brig  captured  at  Fort 
Erie,  three  schooners  named  the  Somers,  Tigress, 
and  Ohio,  that  had  been  purchased,  and  a  sloop, 
the  Trippe)  were  thus  liberated  from  service  on 
the  upper  Niagara  River,  and  were  taken  by 
Perry  to  his  rendezvous  at  Erie,  barely  evading 
on  the  way  the  British  squadron  that  was  looking 
for  them. 

Many  obstacles  and  delays  attended  Commander 
Perry's  efforts;  and  when  his  boats  were  ready 
(they  being,  in  addition  to  those  previously 
named,  the  Lawrence,  flagship,  and  Niagara,  both 
twenty-gun  brigs,  and  the  schooners  Scorpion, 
Porcupine,  and  Ariel,  which  was  clipper-modelled) 
there  were  only  men  enough  at  hand  to  officer  and 
man  one  of  the  brigs,  despite  the  Commander's 
importunities  for  men  sufficient  to  enable  him  to 
proceed  against  the  enemy.  While  in  this  pre- 
dicament Perry  was  annoyed — almost  taunted— 
by  letters  from  the  Naval  Department  and  from 
General  Harrison,  urging  him  to  proceed  against 


From  1812-1813  265 

the  enemy;  also  by  the  British  squadron  remain- 
ing in  sight  of  his  Erie  harbor,  threatening  to 
attack  him.  A  few  men  came  straggling  in,  "a 
motley  set,  blacks,  soldiers,  and  boys,"  and  there 
was  much  sickness  among  them. 

The  second  movement  of  the  British  against 
Fort  Meigs,  described  on  preceding  pages,  oc- 
curred at  this  time,  and  the  British  vessels  moved 
from  the  offing  to  the  west  end  of  Lake  Erie  in 
support  of  it. 

Master-Commander  Perry's  force  increased, 
by  volunteers  of  frontiersmen  and  soldiers,  until 
at  the  close  of  July  it  numbered  abcl^  it  three  hun- 
dred. On  August  ist,  it  was  decided  to  get  his 
ten  vessels  from  Erie  harbor  into  the  Lake,  but, 
owing  to  the  shallow  water  on  the  bar,  five  days 
elapsed  before  his  largest  vessels,  when  empty, 
were  floated  across  by  great  efforts,  and  buoying 
with  "camels."1 

Immediately  after  the  vessels  were  in  deep 
water,  with  their  armament  and  stores  placed, 
some  of  the  British  vessels  appeared  to  the  west- 
ward on  their  return.  The  Ariel  and  Scorpion 

i  Large  scows  filled  with  water  and  placed  one  on  each  side 
of  the  vessel.  Upright  timbers  from  the  scows  support 
horizontal  ones  through,  and  against,  the  upper  parts  of  the 
forward  and  after  portholes  of  the  vessel,  then  the  water  is 
pumped  from  the  scows  to  buoy  the  vessel. 


266  The  Ohio  Country 

were  sent  forward,  and,  upon  their  exchanging 
a  few  shots,  the  British  Captain,  Robert  H.  Bar- 
clay, turned  his  vessels  around  and  retreated  to 
Amherstburg. 

The  sailing  and  maneuvering  qualities  of  Perry's 
squadron  were  then  tried,  and  the  mixed  crews 
of  amateur,  inexperienced  seamen  were  given 
some  much-needed  practice  and  discipline.  On 
August  pth,  Captain  Jesse  D.  Elliott  joined  Com- 
mander Perry  at  Erie,  with  about  one  hundred 
officers  and  men  of  some  experience,  and  he  was 
given  command  of  the  Niagara. 

The  squadron  left  Erie  on  the  i2th  of  August, 
1813,  and  sailed  toward  the  western  part  of  Lake 
Erie.  On  the  i5th,  anchors  were  cast  in  a  pleas- 
ant island  harbor,  that  was  soon  to  be  christened 
by  this  naval  force  as  Put-in-Bay,  and  have  an 
honored  record  in  American  history. 

Communications  with  General  Harrison  had 
been  continued,  and  on  the  i6th  of  August  Perry 
sailed  toward  the  south  shore,  and,  when  off  the 
mouth  of  Portage  River  on  the  lyth,  he  fired  the 
signal  guns  agreed  upon  as  notice  to  the  General 
of  his  approach.  Direct  communications  were 
established;  and  on  the  ipth,  Generals  Harrison, 
Cass,  and  McArthur,  escorted  by  a  company  from 
the  28th  Regiment  United  States  Infantry,  under 


From  1812-1813  267 

Colonel  Owings  (Owens?)  of  Kentucky,  and  John- 
son's regiment  of  cavalry,  together  with  all  the 
seamen  that  could  readily  be  found  among  the 
troops,  and  twenty  landsmen  volunteers,  under 
Lieutenant  Coburn  of  Payne's  company,  started 
to  visit  Perry  on  board  the  flagship  Lawrence. 
These  mixed  crews  were  the  best  that  could  be 
secured  to  bring  the  number  near  to  that  necessary 
to  man  the  different  vessels. 

They  sailed  on  the  2oth,  to  Put-in-Bay,  to 
examine  the  island  as  a  prospective  station  for 
the  army  in  its  advance  against  Amherstburg 
and  Fort  Maiden. 

Commander  Perry  kept  under  observation  the 
British  vessels,  now  all  in  the  Detroit  River,  but 
unfavorable  winds  and  much  disability  among  his 
men,  many  of  whom  were  prostrated  with  re- 
mittent fever,  which  serious  disease  he  was  also 
experiencing,  prevented  his  attacking  them.  On 
the  3ist,  Harrison  reinforced  the  naval  squadron 
with  thirty- six  more  men.  On  September  ist, 
Perry  again  moved  to  a  point  within  sight  of  the 
enemy's  squadron,  but  it  was  arranged  under 
cover  of  the  strong  shore  batteries,  and  would 
not  answer  his  challenge. 

The  British  had  been  building  at  Amherstburg 
a  vessel,  the  Detroit,  larger  than  any  of  those 


268  The  Ohio  Country 

under  Perry's  command.  At  the  time  of  her 
completion,  provisions  had  become  scarce  at 
Amherstburg,  and,  on  Friday  the  zoth  of  Septem- 
ber, the  British  squadron  was  obliged  to  move 
eastward  for  supplies.  The  vessels  were  early 
sighted  by  the  Americans,  who  decided  to  give 
battle,  and  prepared  accordingly.  Perry  hoisted 
on  his  flagship,  the  Lawrence,  his  battle-flag 
bearing  the  dying  command  of  Captain  Lawrence 
in  the  contest  of  the  Chesapeake  with  the  Shannon, 
" Don't  Give  up  the  Ship. " 

The  battle  was  begun  by  a  long-range  gun  of 
the  Detroit,  the  missile  falling  short  of  its  mark. 
Perry  reserved  his  fire  for  short  range.  His 
flagship  was  the  target  for  most  of  the  enemy's 
shot,  and  the  results  to  the  brig  and  crew  were 
widespread  and  direful.  All  of  her  guns  became 
dismounted  or  useless,  and  only  fourteen  unhurt 
men  remained,  and  only  nine  of  these  were  seamen. 
The  room  below,  to  which  the  wounded  had  been 
taken,  was  above  the  water  line  and  the  enemy's 
shot  frequently  passed  through  it,  continuing 
the  work  of  destruction  of  life  as  well  as  of 
vessel. 

Being  unable  to  do  more  in  the  Lawrence,  Perry 
ordered  a  boat  lowered  while  putting  on  his  full 
uniform,  and,  giving  the  Lawrence  in  charge  of 


From  1812-1813  269 

Lieutenant  Yarnell,  with  discretionary  powers, 
he,  with  his  small  brother  and  four  oarsmen, 
entered  the  boat  and  passed  to  the  Niagara.  He 
persisted  in  standing  most  of  the  fifteen  minutes 
required  to  make  the  transit,  and  was  the  target 
of  many  British  guns,  large  and  small. 

Taking  command  of  the  Niagara,  Perry  sent 
Lieutenant  Elliott  in  a  small  boat  to  bring  into 
close  action  the  more  distant  vessels,  and,  raising 
the  Commodore  pennant,  he  changed  the  course  of 
his  present  flagship  and  broke  through  the  British 
line,  pouring  at  short  range,  with  disastrous 
effect,  the  full  force  of  the  guns  right  and  left  into 
the  disconcerted  enemy.  The  other  American 
vessels  followed  their  leader,  and,  in  eight  minutes 
after  the  Niagara  passed  through  the  line,  the 
four  principal  British  vessels  surrendered.  The 
other  two,  the  Chippewa  and  Little  Belt,  attempted 
to  escape,  but  the  Scorpion  and  Trippe,  giving 
chase,  soon  brought  them  back  to  American 
possession. 

Lieutenant  Yarnell  lowered  the  colors  of  the 
Lawrence  soon  after  the  departure  of  Perry,  and 
the  fire  of  the  British  was  thereafter  directed 
elsewhere.  They  were  too  busy  in  protecting 
themselves,  however,  to  take  charge  of  the 
wreck. 


270  The  Ohio  Country 

Immediately  after  the  surrender  of  the  British, 
were  written  with  a  firm  hand  those  model  de- 
spatches which  have  been  familiar  to  all  students 
of  history;  the  first  to  General  William  H.  Harri- 
son, viz. : 

"SiR:  We  have  met  the  enemy  and  they  are  ours: 
Two  Ships,  two  Brigs,  one  Schooner,  and  one  Sloop. 
"  Yours  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 

"O.  H.  PERRY." 

"U.   S.  BRIG  Niagara,  OFF    THE  WESTERN    SISTER 

[ISLAND] 

"Head  of  Lake  Erie,  September  10,  1813,  4  P.M. 
"SiR: 

"  It  has  pleased  the  Almighty  to  give  to  the  arms  of 
the  United  States  a  signal  victory  over  their  enemies 
on  this  lake.  The  British  squadron,  consisting  of 
two  ships,  two  brigs,  one  schooner,  and  one  sloop, 
have  this  moment  surrendered  to  the  force  under 
my  command  after  a  sharp  conflict. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully, 
"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"O.  H.  PERRY. 
"  Honorable  WILLIAM  JONES, 
"Secretary  of  the  Navy" 

Commander  Perry  decided  to  receive  the  formal 
surrender  of  the  British  officers  on  board  the 
disabled  Lawrence,  which  he  did,  they  wending 
their  way  between  the  dead  Americans  whose 


From  1812-1813  271 

bodies  yet  remained  on  the  deck.  The  British 
commander,  Captain  Barclay,  was  wounded  and 
unable  to  be  present. 

At  twilight,  the  non-commissioned  dead,  of 
friend  and  foe,  enveloped  in  shrouds,  with  cannon 
balls  at  their  feet,  were  dropped  one  by  one  into 
the  lake,  after  the  reading  of  the  burial  service 
of  the  Episcopal  Church.  This  sad  service  being 
completed,  the  vessels  slowly  made  their  way 
to  that  beautiful  bay  which  has  since  been  known 
as  Put-in-Bay;  and  the  dead  officers  were  buried 
on  the  land  which  received  the  name  Put-in-Bay 
Island.  The  losses  were:  American,  twenty- 
seven  killed  and  ninety-six  wounded,  of  whom 
twenty-two  killed  and  sixty-one  wounded  were 
aboard  the  Lawrence;  British,  forty-one  killed 
and  ninety-four  wounded. 

There  are  varying  reports  regarding  the  rela- 
tive strength  of  the  contending  squadrons.  The 
British  had  six  vessels  carrying  sixty-three  car- 
riage guns,  one  on  pivot,  two  swivels,  and  four 
howitzers.  The  Americans  had  nine  vessels  with 
fifty-four  carriage  guns  and  two  swivels.  The 
British  squadron  had  thirty-five  long  guns  and 
the  American  fifteen,  which  explains  the  advantage 
of  the  former  in  the  early  part  of  the  action.  In 
close  action  the  weight  of  metal  was  favorable 


272 


The  Ohio  Country 


to  the  Americans.  The  British  crews  possessed 
far  more  naval  experience  than  the  American.1 

This  capture  of  the  entire  British  squadron 
on  these  waters,  the  first  instance  in  the  history 
of  America's  brilliant  successes  on  the  water,  had 
a  very  depressing  effect  on  the  British  and  their 
savage  allies,  and  correspondingly  opposite  effect 
upon  all  three  of  the  American  armies  (North- 
western, Central,  and  Eastern) ,  and  upon  the  entire 
populace  as  well.  This  was  the  continued  work 
of  young  officers,  Perry  being  but  twenty-seven 
years  of  age,  and  his  subordinates  much  younger. 

Perry  was  immediately  promoted  to  a  Cap- 
taincy, and  Congress  gave  him  a  vote  of  thanks 
and  a  medal. 

«  AMERICAN  SQUADRON,  MASTER-COMMANDER  OLIVER  HAZARD 

PERRY 


Name  of 

Rigging 

«>S 

3| 

o  £ 

-.-!      ^ 

•tQ 

I* 

53  c 

Armament 

Vessel 

H  <u 

HO 

£  o 

F!^ 

*M 

CQ 

Lawrence 
Niagara 

Brig 
Brig 

480 
480 

136 

155 

105 
127 

300 
300 

2  Long  i2S,  1  8  Short  325. 
2  Long  i2s,  1  8  Short  323. 

Caledonia 

Brig 

1  80 

53 

80 

2  Long  245,    i  Short  32. 

Ariel 

Schooner 

112 

S6 

48 

4  Long  i2s,   (i  burst 

early). 

Scorpion 

Schooner 

86 

35 

64 

r  Long  32       i  Short  32. 

Somers 

Schooner 

94 

30 

184 

S6 

i  Long  24       i  Short  32, 

2  Swivels. 

Porcupine 

Schooner 

83 

35 

^2 

i  Long  32 

Tigress 

Schooner 

96 

27 

12 

i  Long  32 

Trippe 

Sloop 

60 

35  J 

24 

i  Long  24 

9  Vessels 

1,671 

532 

416 

936 

54  Guns,        2  Swivels. 

The  schooner  Ohio  had  gone  to  Erie  for  supplies. 


From  1812-1813 


273 


Captain  (acting  Commodore)  Barclay,  in  his 
report  to  the  British  government,  expressed  high 
praise  of  Commander  Perry  for  his  thoughtful 
and  kind  attention  to  the  wounded  and  the 
prisoners,  and  for  his  magnanimity.  He  not 
only  declined  to  take  the  swords  from  the  sur- 
rendering officers,  but  he  loaned  them  one  thou- 
sand dollars  to  be  expended  for  their  comfort. 

The  prisoners  who  were  able  to  travel  were 
taken  to  Pittsburg  by  way  of  the  Sanduskys  and 
Franklinton.  The  wounded  and  sick  were  taken 


BRITISH  SQUADRON,  CAPTAIN-COMMANDER  ROBERT  HERIOT 
BARCLAY 


b 

O 

Name  of 

Rigging 

8.2 

fc 

w  G 

Armament 

Vessel 

o  bo 

£ 

"Sg 

^~M 

O 

« 

Detroit 

Ship 

490 

ISO 

138 

i  Long  1  8,  2  Long  243,  6  Long 

i2s,  i  Short  1  8,  i  Short  24, 

8  Long  93,  i  Gun  on  Pivot, 

2  Howitzers. 

Queen 

Charlotte 

Ship 

400 

126 

189 

i  Long  12,2  Long  93,  14  Short 

245,  and  i  Howitzer. 

Hunter 

Brig 

1  80 

45 

30 

4  Long  6s,  2  Long  43,  2  Long 

2S,  2  Short   123. 

Lady 

Prevost 

Brig 

230 

86 

75 

i  Long  9,  2  Long  6s,  10  Short 

i2S.  and  i  Howitzer. 

Chippewa 
Little  Belt 

Schooner 
Sloop 

70 
90 

IS 
18 

9 

18 

i  Long  9,  and  2  Swivels, 
i  Long  12,  and  2  Long  6s. 

6  Vessels 

1,460 

440 

459 

64  Guns,  4  Howitzers,  2  Swivels 

Compare  Official  Letters  of  the  Military  and  Naval  Officers  of  the  United 
States  during  the  War  with  Great  Britain  in  the  Years  1812,  1813,  1814,  and 
1815,  by  John  Brannan,  Washington,  1823,  page  207;  Lossing's  War  of 
1812,  page  520;  and  The  Naval  War  of  1813  by  Theodore  Roosevelt,  voL 
i.,  pages  311,  312. 
18 


274  The  Ohio  Country 

to  Erie  in  the  hospital  vessels,  the  Detroit,  Queen 
Charlotte,  and  Niagara.  It  not  being  practicable 
to  repair  the  two  first  named  vessels,  they  were 
left  in  Little  Bay,  Erie  harbor,  where  they  finally 
went  to  the  bottom,  followed  a  few  years  later 
by  the  Niagara  which  had  meantime  been  doing 
good  service  as  a  receiving  ship. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

THE     AMERICANS     SEEK     THE      BRITISH     AT     FORT 
MALDEN 

Definite  Preparations  for  the  Invasion  of  Canada — Observ- 
ance of  the  Day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer — A  Sham  Battle 
— Enthusiastic  Enlisting  in  Kentucky  for  the  Invasion — 
Aged  Aborigine  Warriors  Join  the  Ranks — The  Crossing 
of  Lake  Erie — Arrival  at  Fort  Maiden — Found  Deserted 
and  Fired  by  the  Enemy. 

/COLONEL  RICHARD  M.  JOHNSON'S  regi- 
^-^  ment  of  mounted  infantry  being  recalled 
from  the  southwest,  where  it  had  been  inadvert- 
ently sent  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  was  ordered 
to  escort  the  army  supplies  down  the  St.  Marys, 
Auglaize,  and  Maumee  rivers,  from  Forts  Barbee, 
Amanda,  and  Winchester.  During  its  sojourn 
in  Kentucky  this  regiment  had  been  recruited  to 
over  full  numbers,  and,  by  the  aid  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  James  Johnson,  brother  of  the  Colonel, 
the  discipline  was  brought  to  a  high  state. 

About  the  ist  of  September,  with  a  train  of 
275 


276  The  Ohio  Country 

thirty  wagons,  and  a  brigade  of  packhorses, 
they  started  northward  and  arrived  at  Fort 
Winchester  on  the,  pth,  the  day  appointed  by 
President  Madison  for  fasting,  humiliation,  and 
prayer,  according  to  Act  of  Congress.  Captain 
Robert  B.  M'Afee,  who  was  present,  writes  in 
his  little  book  on  the  war,  that: 

"  Those  who  chose  to  observe  the  day  in  that  manner 
were  encouraged  to  do  so ;  and  although  there  is  in 
general  but  little  religion  to  be  found  in  the  army, 
yet  in  the  evening  of  this  day  a  number  of  little 
parties  were  seen  in  different  parts  of  the  lines  paying 
their  devotions  to  the  God  of  armies,  and  chanting 
His  praises  with  plainness,  sincerity,  and  zeal;  whilst 
their  less  pious  but  moral  and  orderly  compatriots 
preserved  around  them  the  strictest  order  and  de- 
corum. A  pleasing  tranquillity  pervaded  the  ranks, 
and  the  patriot  soldier  seemed  to  feel  a  cheering  con- 
fidence that  the  God  of  battles  would  shield  him  in 
the  hour  of  danger." 

Before  continuing  the  march,  a  spirited  and 
valuable  disciplinary  sham  battle  was  fought  in 
the  vicinity  of  Fort  Winchester,  between  the 
infantry  and  cavalry,  in  which  the  horses  par- 
ticipated with  but  little  less  zest  than  their  riders ; 
and  they  were  thus  taught  not  to  fear  the  noise  and 
smoke  of  the  guns  of  the  infantry  as  their  riders 
directed  the  rapid  charge  between  their  ranks. 


1813  277 

General  Harrison  had  invited  the  venerable 
Governor  Isaac  Shelby,  the  Revolutionary  hero 
of  King's  Mountain,  South  Carolina,  in  1781,  to 
accompany  his  Kentucky  troops  to  the  invasion 
of  Canada;  and  this  invitation  was  accepted. 
Announcement  that  the  Governor  would  be  pres- 
ent on  the  march,  and  in  the  field,  caused  great 
enthusiasm  in  Kentucky,  and  nearly  double  the 
number  of  volunteers  called  for  responded;  thus 
giving  General  Shelby  the  proud  command  of 
about  three  thousand  mounted  men,  exclusive  of 
Colonel  Johnson's  regiment.  The  United  States 
Arsenal  at  Newport  was  emptied  of  arms,  and 
many  of  these  troops  were  supplied  at  the  San- 
duskys,  they  coming  through  Ohio  along  the 
course  of  the  right  wing  of  the  Northwestern 
Army. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  General  Shelby  and  staff 
at  Fort  Ball,  they  learned  of  Perry's  victory. 
A  despatch  was  at  once  sent  to  Major-General 
Henry,  in  command  of  the  advancing  reinforce- 
ments at  Upper  Sandusky,  to  hasten  forward 
the  troops.  Shelby  met  Harrison  at  Fort  Seneca, 
and,  passing  onward,  they  arrived  on  the  i4th 
of  September  at  the  mouth  of  the  Portage  River, 
the  site  of  the  present  Port  Clinton,  Ohio;  and 
during  the  next  two  days  the  troops  arrived. 


278  The  Ohio  Country 

General  McArthur,  with  his  force,  was  ordered 
to  take  command  of  Fort  Meigs,  and  to  deliver 
orders  to  General  Clay,  there  in  command,  to 
move  his  troops  to  the  mouth  of  the  Portage 
River,  where  the  advancing  Kentuckians  were  to 
gather.  McArthur  was  also  ordered  to  embark  ar- 
tillery and  provisions  from  Fort  Meigs  (which 
would  then  be  reduced  to  the  principal  block- 
houses in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  enclosure) 
to  join  the  consolidating  army  on  the  Lake;  and 
to  carry  orders  to  Colonel  Johnson  to  go  along 
the  left  bank  of  the  Maumee  River,  Bay,  and 
Lake  Erie,  keeping  abreast  of  the  boats.  Thus 
all  of  the  Northwestern  Army  that  could  be 
spared  from  garrison  and  guard  duty  was  mo- 
bilized and  concentrated. 

The  army  also  now  embraced  two  hundred  and 
sixty  aged  Aborigine  warriors  of  the  Wyandot, 
Shawnee,  and  Seneca  tribes  which  Harrison  had 
been  placating.  As  a  result  of  the  efforts  of  the 
British  to  get  these  tribes  also  as  allies,  and  of 
the  desire  of  the  Aborigines  to  be  engaged  in  the 
strife,  the  United  States  government  decided  to 
enlist  all  who  would  come  into  its  service,  but 
with  the  injunction  and  full  understanding  on 
their  part,  that  they  must  conform  to  the  modes 
of  civilized  warfare.  Harrison  instructed  and 


1813  279 

enjoined  them  that  they  must  not  kill,  or  injure, 
defenceless  prisoners,  old  men,  women,  or  children ; 
and,  if  those  fighting  with  him  would  forbear 
such  conduct  it  would  prove  that  the  British  could 
also  restrain  the  Aborigines  with  them  if  they 
desired  so  to  do.  He  greatly  pleased  them  by  hu- 
morously telling  them  that,  inasmuch  as  he  had 
been  informed  that  General  Proctor  had  promised 
to  deliver  him  (General  Harrison)  into  the  hands  of 
Tecumseh  if  he  succeeded  in  capturing  Fort  Meigs, 
to  be  treated  as  that  warrior  might  desire,  he  would 
promise  to  let  them  have  Proctor  as  their  prisoner, 
if  they  could  take  him,  provided  they  would  only 
put  petticoats  on  him  and  treat  him  as  a  squaw. 
These  Aborigines  accompanied  the  American 
army  into  Canada,  and,  presumably,  were  present 
at  the  Battle  of  the  Thames,  but  no  savage  act 
has  been  imputed  to  them,  nor  to  those  who  were 
subsequently  subject  to  American  command.  This 
has  been  taken  as  additional  evidence,  that,  if  the 
British  officers  did  not  directly  instigate,  they  at 
least  willingly  permitted,  the  massacres  of  prisoners 
who  had  surrendered,  not  to  the  Savages  but  to 
themselves;  this,  too,  after  their  promise  of  protec- 
tion. And  they  are  held  responsible  for  such  acts. 1 

»  See  History  of  the  War  of  1812,  page  303,  by  R.  B.  M'Afee, 
an  active  participant, 


280  The  Ohio  Country 

General  Harrison  was  much  in  the  saddle, 
personally  attending  to  delinquents,  and  to  busi- 
ness of  a  general  nature.  On  September  226.,  he 
addressed  a  note  from  Franklinton  to  Governor 
Meigs,  in  part  as  follows: 

"  Be  pleased  to  send  a  company  of  one  hundred  men 
to  Fort  Meigs.  Thirty  or  forty  will  do  for  Lower 
Sandusky.  I  am  informed  that  the  term  of  enlist- 
ment of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Findlay  will  expire  on 
the  22d  instant.  Will  you  be  pleased  to  order 
there  twenty  or  thirty  men?  ..." 

The  army  commenced  to  embark  for  the 
advance,  at  the  mouth  of  Portage  River,  on 
September  2oth.  The  vessels  under  command 
of  Captain  Perry  were  used  as  transports,  ex- 
cepting the  wrecks  Lawrence,  Detroit,  and  Queen 
Charlotte,  which  contained  the  wounded,  and 
sick,  they  now  being  airy  and  good  hospitals. 
All  of  these  vessels  were  viewed  with  great  interest 
by  the  soldiers,  many  of  whom  from  the  interior 
country  had  never  before  seen  such  broad  water 
and  such  large  boats;  and  the  many  marks  they 
bore  of  the  fierce  battle  were  associated  with  the 
thoughts  of  the  complete  victory  of  American 
arms  they  represented,  to  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
soldiers  who  grew  impatient  for  an  opportunity 


1813  281 

to  show  their  prowess  in  battle  for  their  country's 
honor. 

All  the  horses,  even  those  of  the  officers,  were 
left  on  the  mainland. 

It  required  four  days  to  transport,  by  the 
slow-moving  sail  vessels,  the  army  of  nearly  five 
thousand  men,  with  armament  and  supplies,  to 
Put-in-Bay  Island.  On  the  25th,  encampment 
was  made  on  Middle  Sister  Island  which,  being 
but  about  six  acres  in  size,  afforded  only  close 
quarters. 

Harrison,  in  company  with  Perry  on  the  Ariel, 
reconnoitred  the  enemy  at  Fort  Maiden  and  at 
Amherstburg,  and  returned  in  time  to  issue  a  Gen- 
eral Order  to  embark  against  them  the  next  morn- 
ing. This  Order  contained  the  following  request : 

"The  General  entreats  his  brave  troops  to  remember 
that  they  are  sons  of  sires  [soldiers  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War]  whose  fame  is  immortal;  that  they  are 
to  fight  for  the  rights  of  their  insulted  country,  whilst 
their  opponents  combat  for  the  unjust  pretensions  of 
a  master.  Kentuckians,  remember  the  River  Raisin, 
but  remember  it  only  whilst  the  victory  is  suspended. 
The  revenge  of  a  soldier  cannot  be  gratified  upon  a 
fallen  foe. 

"By  command,  ROBERT  BUTLER, 
"Acting  Adjutant-General."  l 

i  The  sad  massacre  of  Kentuckians  at  the  River  Raisin 
nine  months  previous  to  this  date  by  the  savage  allies  of 


282  The  Ohio  Country 

The  weather  continued  favorable,  and,  after 
seven  hours'  sailing,  in  sixteen  armed  vessels  and 
nearly  one  hundred  smaller  boats,  the  army 
landed  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  Sep- 
tember 27,  1813,  on  the  sandy  shore  of  Canada, 
about  three  miles  below  Amherstburg  and  the 
ill-famed  Fort  Maiden. 

There  was  no  enemy  found  to  dispute  the  land- 


the  British  had,  like  most  stirring  events  in  war,  been 
commemorated  in  song.  A  stanza  of  one  of  the  songs  often 
heard  around  the  camp-fires  of  the  Northwestern  Army, 
runs  as  follows: 

"Freemen!  no  longer  bear  such  slaughters; 

Avenge  your  country's  cruel  woe; 
Arouse,  and  save  your  wives  and  daughters! 
Arouse  and  smite  the  faithless  foe! 

CHORUS: 

"  Scalps  are  bought  at  stated  prices, 
Maiden  pays  the  price  in  gold.1' 

The  British  policy  toward  the  Colonies,  and  also  toward 
the  United  States,  had  been,  as  expressed  in  the  New  Quarterly 
Review  and  British  Colonial  Register,  No.  4,  London,  following 
Perry's  victory,  as  follows,  viz.:  "...  We  dare  assert,  and 
recent  events  have  gone  far  in  establishing  the  truth  of  the 
proposition,  that  the  Canadas  cannot  be  effectually  and 
durably  defended  without  the  friendship  of  the  Indians  and 
command  of  the  lakes  and  the  River  St.  Lawrence.  .  .  .  We 
must  consider  the  interest  of  the  Indians  as  our  own;  for 
men  whose  very  name  is  so  formidable  to  an  American,  and 
whose  friendship  has  recently  been  shown  [in  the  Savage 
massacres  of  Winchester's  and  Dudley's  troops  surrendered 
to  the  British]  to  be  of  such  great  importance  to  us,  we  cannot 
do  too  much.  ,  .  ." 


1813  283 

ing,  or  the  entrance  into  the  town.  The  British 
troops  and  their  savage  allies  had  hastily  de- 
parted, after  setting  fire  to  the  army  and  navy 
buildings,  and  to  all  the  public  stores  they  could 
not  carry  away.  A  detachment  of  troops  was 
hurried  forward,  and  they  prevented  the  de- 
struction of  bridges.  Upon  inquiring  among  the 
few  people  left  in  the  town  for  horses  on  which 
to  mount  the  general  officers,  it  was  ascertained 
that  Proctor  had  taken  them  all,  more  than  one 
thousand  in  number;  but  one  small  pony  was  found 
and  taken  for  General  Shelby's  use. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

THE    BRITISH    PURSUED,     AND    CAPTURED    AT    THE 
THAMES 

Pursuit  of  the  British  through  Canada — Detroit  Recovered 
by  Americans,  who  Hasten  to  Complete  Victory  at 
the  Thames — Aborigines  Desert  their  Allies  and  Flock 
to  the  Americans — General  Cass  Appointed  Military  and 
Civil  Governor  of  Michigan  Territory — Name  of  De- 
troit's Fort  Changed  to  that  of  Shelby — Kentucky 
Troops  Return  Home  by  Way  of  the  Raisin. 

LEAVING  Colonel  Smith's  regiment  of  riflemen 
at  Amherstburg,  to  guard  the  small  boats 
left  behind,  and  to  guard  the  town  from  prowling 
Savages,  the  Americans  pressed  forward  the  next 
morning ;  and  soon  after  midday  they  arrived  at 
Sandwich.  Captain  Perry's  squadron  arrived  in 
the  river  opposite,  about  the  same  time  as  did 
the  troops. 

General  McArthur,  with  seven  hundred  men, 
was  sent  across  the  river  to  Detroit,  to  guard 
against  the  large  number  of  Savages  reported  in 

284 


From  1813-1814  285 

the  woods  near  by ;  and  they  drove  away  a  band 
of  Savages  from  the  town,  and  found  that  De- 
troit's Fort  Lernoult  had  been  abandoned,  and 
partly  burned;  and  that  the  fire  had  been  ex- 
tinguished by  the  citizens  who  now  generally 
welcomed  the  Americans. 

A  few  days  later,  the  Aborigines  who  had 
become  discouraged  by  the  British  disasters, 
and  did  not  follow  Proctor's  retreating  columns — 
the  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  Pottawotamis,  Miamis, 
and  Kickapoos — came  to  McArthur  for  peace 
and  he  reported  that  he  had  agreed  with  them 
that  hostilities  should  cease  for  the  present  on 
their  "  agreeing  to  take  hold  of  the  same  tomahawk 
with  us,  and  to  strike  all  who  are  or  may  be 
enemies  of  the  United  States,  whether  British  or 
Indians.  They  are  to  bring  in  a  number  of  their 
women  and  children  and  leave  them  as  hostages 
whilst  they  accompany  us  to  war.  Some  of  them 
have  already  brought  in  their  women,  and  are 
drawing  rations. "  The  Wyandots  were  soon 
added  to  the  above  mentioned  tribes  suing  for 
peace;  but  no  effort  was  made  to  marshal  them 
against  the  British. 

The  martial  law  that  had  been  enforced  by 
the  British  at  Detroit  was  now  declared  ended 
by  proclamation  of  General  Harrison,  who  also 


286  The  Ohio  Country 

reproclaimed  the  civil  government  of  the  Terri- 
tory of  Michigan,  which  ended  with  the  surrender 
of  Hull  in  June,  1812. 

Colonel  Johnson's  regiment  arrived  at  Detroit, 
September  3oth,  with  four  pieces  of  light  field 
artillery  from  Fort  Meigs,  and  they  were  ordered 
across  the  river.  A  council  of  officers  decided 
to  continue  the  pursuit  of  the  British  by  land 
rather  than  by  water.  McArthur  and  his  brigade 
remained  at  Detroit;  a  brigade  and  one  regiment 
were  left  at  Sandwich,  and  the  other  part  of  the 
army,  numbering  about  three  thousand  and  five 
hundred,  having  obtained  horses  in  addition  to 
those  of  Johnson's  regiment,  started  again  the 
ad  of  October  on  the  track  of  the  retreating 
British.  Captain  Perry  took  the  heavy  baggage 
and  much  of  the  supplies  on  some  of  his  vessels 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Thames  River  on  Lake  St. 
Clair;  and  he  there  learned,  that  some  small 
vessels  with  the  British  cannon  and  heavy  baggage 
had  just  escaped  him,  and  passed  up  the  river 
beyond  where  his  vessels  could  go. 

Evidently  the  British  did  not  expect  to  be 
pursued  beyond  Sandwich  as  they  did  not  destroy 
the  bridges.  The  road  being  good,  the  Americans' 
progress  was  rapid.  Seven  deserters  from  the 
British  were  met,  and  the  situation  was  learned 


From  1813-1814  287 

from  them.  The  next  day,  a  small  detachment 
of  the  British,  which  had  been  sent  to  destroy 
bridges,  was  captured'. 

Captain  Perry  received  permission  to  accompany 
the  army,  and,  leaving  his  boats  well  guarded, 
his  force  passed  up  the  River  Thames,  their  small 
cannon  driving  Aborigines  and  others  away  from 
partially  destroyed  bridges,  which  were  speedily 
repaired  for  the  pursuing  army's  use. 

The  Wyandot  chief,  Walk-in-the- Water,  with 
sixty  of  his  warriors  reported,  as  deserters  from 
the  British,  to  Harrison,  who,  being  intent  after 
the  main  foe,  told  them  to  pass  around  to  Detroit 
out  of  the  way  of  the  American  army. 

The  British,  being  closely  pressed,  attempted 
to  destroy  their  stores,  and  everything  they  could 
not  well  carry.  Near  Chatham  they  set  fire  to 
a  house  which  contained  near  a  thousand  mus- 
kets. These  were  saved  by  the  Americans.  They 
burned  other  buildings,  and  three  of  their  small 
boats,  which  contained  artillery  and  heavy 
munitions,  from  which  Harrison's  army  saved 
two  24-pounder  cannon,  and  a  good  quantity  of 
ammunition;  and  early  in  the  morning  of  the 
5th  of  October  two  of  the  British  gunboats  and 
several  bateaux  laden  with  supplies  were  cap- 
tured, with  more  prisoners.  The  Thames  was 


288  The  Ohio  Country 

crossed  at  Arnold's  Mill,  partly  by  each  cavalry- 
man taking  an  infantryman  behind  him  on 
his  horse,  and  partly  by  means  of  the  near-by 
bateaux. 

Early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  5th  of  October, 
American  scouts  reported  the  position  of  the  com- 
bined enemy  as  near,  and  well  chosen  for  defence. 
The  Americans  at  once  advanced  and  attacked 
them.  The  battle  was  sharp  and  decisive.  The 
pervading  spirit  was,  that  there  was  to  be  no 
more  withstanding  of  outraged  Americans  de- 
termined to  rid  their  "  Ohio  Country "  homes  of 
the  Savage  incubi  that  for  about  forty  years  had 
been  a  blight  to  their  own  and  their  parents'  hap- 
piness, and  a  blot  for  all  time  on  civilization! 

Johnson's  cavalry  broke  the  British  lines  by 
their  impetuous  charge,  and,  in  less  than  five 
minutes  (is  the  record)  after  the  first  shot,  nearly 
the  entire  British  force  threw  down  their  arms 
and  surrendered.  The  Savages  started  their 
part  well,  but  were,  within  a  few  minutes,  unable 
to  withstand  the  American  rifles.  Tecumseh  was 
killed,  whether  by  Colonel  R.  M.  Johnson  or 
other  is  not  known;  and  no  one  could  for  long 
rally  his  followers.  Proctor  with  a  few  followers 
attempted  to  escape  in  his  carriage,  but  he  was 
so  closely  pressed  that  he  rushed  into  the  forest 


From  1813-1814  289 

on  foot,  and  later,  finding  a  horse,  was  sixty-five 
miles  from  the  battle-field  within  twenty-four 
hours.  His  carriage,  private  papers,  and  many 
valuable  military  papers  were  captured.  Among 
the  battle-field  captures  were  six  brass  cannon, 
three  of  which  were  captured  from  the  British  in 
the  Revolutionary  War  but  surrendered  to  them 
by  Hull  at  Detroit. 

The  American  loss  in  the  Battle  of  the  Thames 
was  fifteen  killed,  and  thirty  wounded  including 
the  brave  Colonel  R.  M.  Johnson.  The  British 
loss  was  eighteen  killed,  twenty-six  wounded,  and 
six  hundred  prisoners  including  twenty-five  offi- 
cers. The  Savages  left  thirty-three  of  their  dead 
on  the  field.  Further  is  not  definitely  known, 
but  their  loss  must  have  been  large  from  wounds 
and  want  of  proper  care,  they,  with  Tecumseh, 
being  carried  from  the  field  on  their  retreat. 

The  American  army  started  on  its  return  to 
Detroit  the  yth  of  October.  Harrison  preceded 
at  a  more  rapid  pace,  leaving  Shelby  in  command. 
They  arrived  at  Sandwich  on  the  loth,  in  a  cold, 
driving  storm.  This  storm  injured  several  of 
Perry's  vessels  on  their  return  from  the  Thames, 
and  caused  the  loss  of  much  of  the  military 
property  captured.  It  also  put  a  stop  to  the 
contemplated  movement  against  Mackinac. 
19 


290  The  Ohio  Country 

Report  was  soon  received  that  the  small  British 
garrison  had  abandoned  that  post,  which  was 
probably  not  correct,  as  it  was  a  rallying 
point  for  the  northern  Savages,  and  the  north- 
western fur  trade  which  had  been  valuable  to  the 
British. 

The  report  of  the  signal  victory  at  the  Thames 
was  received  throughout  the  United  States  with 
illuminations,  bonfires,  and  patriotic  addresses. 
General  Harrison  was  lauded;  and  Congress  after- 
wards gave  him  a  vote  of  thanks,  and  a  gold 
medal. 

General  Lewis  Cass  was  appointed  civil  and 
military  governor  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan, 
and  was  directed  to  retain  his  brigade  of  soldiers, 
numbering  about  one  thousand,  to  guard  against 
the  Savages,  and  to  hold  against  invasion  by  the 
British.  This  appointment  was  confirmed  by  the 
United  States  Senate  and  Cass  continued  in  this 
office  several  years,  giving  good  service  in  his 
multiform  duties. 

The  fort  at  Detroit  was  repaired,  and  the  name 
Lernoult,  which  it  had  borne  since  1778,  was 
changed  to  Fort  Shelby,  in  honor  of  Kentucky's 
distinguished  Governor.  Its  site  is  yet  indicated, 
and  its  name  perpetuated,  in  Fort  and  Shelby 
streets. 


From  1813-1814  291 

The  Kentucky  volunteers  were  permitted  to  re- 
turn home.  They  stopped  at  the  River  Raisin  on 
their  way  home,  and  there  buried  such  remains  as 
could  be  found  (sixty-five  skeletons)  of  the  mas- 
sacred soldiers  of  General  Winchester's  army  of  the 
previous  January.  Their  horses  were  found  where 
left,  at  the  mouth  of  Portage  River,  Ohio. 

The  Savages,  the  much  valued  allies  of  the 
British,  were  left  without  food  for  the  winter 
after  the  defeat  of  them  and  their  allies  at  the 
Battle  of.  the  Thames.  They  had  been  tutored 
to  war,  and  to  complete  subserviency  to  the 
British,  and  had  lost  interest  in  hunting  wild 
game  for  their  subsistence.  As  at  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  War,  they  turned  at  once,  and  with 
as  little  apparent  regret  for  their  past  hostilities, 
to  the  Americans  for  their  support.  As  formerly, 
they  gathered  at  Detroit  in  such  great  number  that 
they  could  not  be  fully  fed  by  the  Americans,  who 
were,  themselves,  scantily  supplied.  They  went 
about  the  streets  gathering  and  devouring,  so  far 
as  they  could,  whatever  of  fragmentary  food  that 
could  be  given  them  by  the  soldiers  and  citizens. 

Harrison  dealt  kindly  with  them;  and  he  as- 
sembled them  at  Greenville,  Ohio,  July  22,  1814, 
where  a  lasting  treaty  was  effected  for  their  best 
interest. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

THE     OHIO     COUNTRY     FREE     FROM     THE     SAVAGE 
ALLIANCE 

Proctor's  Request  and  Harrison's  Reply — Harrison  Goes 
to  Reinforce  Army  of  the  Centre — Period  of  Quiet  in 
the  Ohio  Country — General  Harrison  Resigns — Renewed 
Efforts  for  Defence  and  Advance — Scarcity  of  Food  and 
Money — Further  Neglect  by  Eastern  Authorities — Ex- 
peditions through  Canada — Unfortunate  Expedition 
to  the  North. 

A  FTER  providing  for  the  garrisoning  of  the 
**  several  forts  in  the  old  Northwestern  Ter- 
ritory, General  Harrison,  with  about  thirteen 
hundred  soldiers,  sailed  in  Captain  Perry's  squad- 
ron for  Buffalo1  where  they  arrived  the  24th  of 

»  General  Harrison  received  by  messenger  Lieutenant 
Le  Breton  a  letter  from  Major-General  Proctor  dated 
October  i8th  (place  of  writing  not  given),  addressed  to  him 
at  the  Moravian  towns  by  the  Thames,  but  delivered  at 
Detroit  before  his  departure  from  that  place.  This  letter 
requested  the  return  of  private  papers  and  property  cap- 
tured at  the  Battle  of  the  Thames;  also  a  request  for  mild 
treatment  of  the  British  prisoners  and  subjects.  This 
writing  of  Proctor  was  considered  by  Harrison  unnecessary, 

292 


From  1813-1814  293 

October,  1813,  to  co-operate  with  the  Army  of 
the  Centre;  but  Harrison  did  not  remain  there 
as  a  party  to  the  resulting  defeats. 

On  account  of  antagonisms  in  the  War  Depart- 
ment General  Harrison's  able  and  successful 
work  in  the  War  of  1812-14  had  been  nearly 
completed.  He  returned  to  his  family  in  Cin- 
cinnati, where  he  retained  head-quarters  until  he 
resigned  from  the  army,  his  resignation  to  take 
effect  May  31,  1814. 

The  West  and  Northwest  experienced  com- 
parative quiet  after  the  Battle  of  the  Thames. 


as  such  conduct  had  been  already  provided  for,  and,  further, 
it  was  asking  from  him  what  Proctor  had  not  been  known 
to  accord  to  Americans.  Lieutenant  Le  Breton  was  given 
good  opportunity  to  see  that  the  proprieties  of  civilization 
had  been  complied  with  in  regard  to  the  British  prisoners. 
He  was  not  permitted  to  return  by  land,  however,  but  was 
taken  across  Lake  Erie  in  boat  with  Harrison. 

He  was  given  in  reply  a  letter  dated  ' '  Headquarters,  Fort 
George,  November  3,  1813,"  addressed,  not  to  Proctor  but 
to  Major-General  Vincent  the  ranking  officer.  This  reply 
cited  three  instances,  of  the  many  in  addition  to  Winchester 's 
and  Dudley's  troops,  of  atrocious  Savage  murders  and 
mutilations  committed  on  inoffensive  American  men,  women, 
and  children  by  Savage  members  of  the  British  army  whose 
officers  were  at  least  privy  to  the  deeds  and  did  not  subject 
their  perpetrators  to  discipline.  Eloquent  protest  was  again 
made  against  such  atrocious  warfare,  and  demand  for  its 
cessation,  adding  that,  "The  effect  of  these  barbarities  will 
not  be  confined  to  the  present  generation.  Ages  to  come 
will  feel  the  deep  rooted  hatred  and  enmity  which  they  must 
produce  between  the  nations." 


294  The  Ohio  Country 

However,  food  and  money  again  became  scarce, 
and  some  successes  of  the  British  over  the  Army 
of  the  Centre  again  brought  anxiety  to  this  region. 
The  difficulties  of  properly  meeting  the  require- 
ments for  success  in  this,  the  then  "  distant 
western  country,"  in  all  questions  in  which 
eastern  authorities  had  the  dictation,  are  shown 
(as  a  repetition  of  the  old,  old  story)  in  the  follow- 
ing extracts  from  a  letter  to  Governor  Meigs 
written  by  General  John  S.  Gano  dated  "  Head- 
quarters Ohio  Militia,  Lower  Sandusky,  January 
16,  1814,"  viz.: 

"I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  after  re- 
peated solicitations  and  much  delay,  the  paymaster 
has  succeeded  in  obtaining  two  months'  pay  for  the 
troops  under  my  command.  I  have  sent  him  on  to 
Detroit,  as  the  men  there  are  in  great  want  of  money 
to  purchase  necessaries,  etc. 

"Yesterday  the  Lieutenant  and  Surgeon  of  the 
Navy,  Champlain  and  Eastman,  left  this  post  for 
Put-in-Bay.  They  arrived  the  evening  before,  and 
report  they  have  everything  arranged  to  give  the 
enemy  a  warm  reception  should  they  visit  them. 
About  forty  pieces  of  cannon  can  be  brought  to  play 
upon  them  at  any  point.  I  find,  however,  that  they 
want  men.  I  shall  send  in  the  regulars  from  Seneca 
as  soon  as  possible,  to  reinforce  them  which  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  from  the  Lieutenant's  representa- 
tions to  me.  We  have  not  had  the  detailed  account 
from  Buffalo,  etc. 


From  1813-1814  295 

"Majors  Vance  and  Meek  have  just  arrived  from 
Detroit,  and  give  a  favorable  account  from  that 
quarter  as  to  the  exertions  of  Colonel  Butler,  to  whom 
I  sent  Major  Vance  as  an  express.  There  is  a  detach- 
ment under  Major  Smiley  up  the  River  Thames  who 
will,  I  hope,  fare  better  than  Larwell.  The  militia  are 
very  tired-ef  the  service  there,  and  all  are  beginning 
to  count  days.  They  have  had  an  immense  deal  of 
fatigue  and  severe  duty  to  perform. 

"The  fort  at  Portage  [by  the  Portage  River,  north- 
western Ohio]  is  progressing  and  is  the  best  piece  of 
work  in  the  Western  country  as  to  strength.  The 
men  draw  the  timber  to  admiration — eighty  or  ninety 
logs  a  day  without  a  murmur.  The  teams  have  been, 
and  are,  useless  for  want  of  forage.  The  greatest 
part  have  actually  died.  I  wrote  in  November  to 
Quartermaster  Gardiner  for  funds  to  be  sent  to  the 
Quartermaster's  assistant  here  to  purchase  forage, 
which  could  have  been  obtained  two  or  three  hundred 
miles  from  here.  If  three  hundred  dollars  could 
have  been  sent  on,  I  think  it  would  have  saved  the 
United  States  three  thousand;  and  I  assure  you  I 
have  used  every  exertion  to  preserve  and  protect  the 
public  property. 

"As  I  before  observed,  nothing  will  induce  the 
militia  to  remain  after  their  term  of  service  expires, 
which  will  be  the  last  of  next  month.  ...  I  am  only 
anxious  on  account  of  the  public  property  that  may 
be  left  exposed. 

"I  have  this  post  in  a  tolerable  state  of  defence, 
as  well  as  all  the  posts  I  command,  which,  you  know, 
are  scattered  from  Dan  to  Beersheba;  and  each  must 
rely  on  its  own  strength  for  its  defence.  I  have  had 
an  immense  detail  business  in  communication,  etc. 


296  The  Ohio  Country 

"Flour  is  very  scarce  at  all  the  frontier  posts.  I 
have  been  between  'hawk  and  buzzard' — the  com- 
missary and  contractor;  and  between  the  two,  as 
is  usual,  must  fail.  What  a  wretched  system  of 
warfare!  .  .  . 

"P.  S.  An  express  by  a  naval  officer  has  just 
arrived  from  Erie.  Lieutenant  Packet  has  given  me 
a  full  account  of  the  loss  of  the  posts  below,  at 
Niagara.  The  enemy  possessed  themselves  of  the 
artillery,  military  stores,  etc.,  etc.,  to  a  large  amount; 
and  there  is  no  doubt  but  an  attempt  to  take  or 
destroy  the  vessels  at  Put-in-Bay  will  be  attempted, 
and  Captain  Elliott  has  requested  a  reinforcement  of 
two  hundred  men  to  send  to  the  Island,  which  I  have 
not  the  power  to  furnish.  I  have  ordered  a  few 
regulars  from  Seneca,  and  will  send  a  few  militia. 
My  troops  are  so  scattered,  I  have  no  disposable 
force  without  evacuating  some  of  the  posts  that 
contain  considerable  military  stores.  I  wrote  to 
General  Harrison,  some  time  since,  recommending 
him  to  send  on  the  recruits.  They  certainly  will  be 
wanted  as  soon  as  the  British  can  move  on  the  ice 
or  by  water  to  Detroit  or  the  Islands.  I  fear  we 
shall  lose  all  that  has  been  gained,  unless  great 
exertions  are  used  to  reinforce;  and  supply  of 
provisions  is  much  wanted." 

The  garrison  of  Fort  Meigs  had  suffered  much 
from  short  rations,  and,  about  the  middle  of 
January,  some  of  the  soldiers  of  the  garrison  were 
sent  up  the  river  to  Fort  Winchester  where  they 
obtained  as  much  food  as  they  could  carry;  and 


From  1813-1814  297 

they  transported  it  to  Fort  Meigs  as  best  they 
could.  Eighty  soldiers,  a  large  part  of  this  gar- 
rison, were  reported  sick  January  27,  1814. 

The  fears  of  attack  by  the  enemy,  expressed 
by  General  Gano,  were  not  realized;  but  fears 
were  often  excited  during  the  summer  and  fall. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Butler,  in  temporary  com- 
mand at  Detroit,  being  informed  during  the  last 
of  January  or  early  in  February,  that  a  body 
of  British,  Canadians,  and  Savages,  were  by  the 
River  Thames  near  Chatham,  sent  Captain  Lee, 
with  a  squad  of  cavalry,  to  investigate.  They 
went  around  the  enemy,  attacked  them  fiercely, 
scattered  them,  taking  several  prisoners,  in- 
cluding Colonel  Babie  (Bahbie)  who  led  a  col- 
lection of  western  Savages  to  the  New  York 
frontier  the  summer  or  fall  of  1813. 

A  little  later  in  February,  1814,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Butler  sent  one  hundred  and  sixty  sol- 
diers, with  two  six-pounder  cannon,  under  Captain 
Jeremiah  Holmes,  against  the  British  Fort  Talbot, 
one  hundred  miles  or  more  from  Detroit,  on  the 
north  shore  of  Lake  Erie.  Deeming  it  unwise  to 
attack  the  fort  with  his  small  force,  Captain 
Holmes  passed  across  the  country  to  Delaware 
on  the  Thames,  where  the  enemy,  superior  in 
numbers,  led  him  on  to  the  Longwoods  where  they 


298  The  Ohio  Country 

gave  battle  for  an  hour  about  dark  on  March  3d. 
Both  parties  withdrew  during  the  night.  The 
American  loss  was  seven  killed  and  wounded. 
These  incursions,  while  showing  great  activity  of 
the  Americans  in  keeping  the  enemy  busy  in  his 
own  domain,  lost  much  of  their  design  from  the 
necessarily  small  forces  employed. 

Early  in  July,  1814,  a  small  squadron  of  vessels 
was  sent  out  from  Detroit  for  the  capture  of 
Fort  Mackinac  and  other  points  in  that  region 
important  to  the  British  fur  trade.  Some  time 
had  been  given  to  preparation  for  this  expedition. 
Arthur  St.  Clair  was  in  command  of  the  vessels 
Niagara,  Caledonia,  Scorpion,  St.  Lawrence,  and 
Tigress;  and  George  Croghan,  now  a  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  was  in  command  of  the  five  hundred 
United  States  troops,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty 
militia,  which  had  quarters  on  the  vessels.  When 
the  squadron  arrived  at  Fort  Gratiot,  recently 
built  by  order  of  General  McArthur  at  the  head 
of  St.  Clair  River  (Strait),  Croghan' s  force  was 
augmented  by  Colonel  William  Colgreave's  regi- 
ment of  Ohio  volunteers,  and  Captain  Gratiot. 
A  desired  attack  on  a  new  British  post  by  Matcha- 
dach  Bay  was  abandoned,  after  a  several  days' 
trial  to  get  through  the  narrow  channels  between 
the  islands,  in  foggy  weather  and  without  a  proper 


From  1813-1814  299 

pilot.  Sailing  to  Fort  St.  Joseph,  toward  Lake 
Superior,  they  found  it  abandoned.  The  build- 
ings here  were  destroyed  by  part  of  the  ex- 
pedition, while  others  pressed  forward  to  the 
Sault  Ste.  Marie,  where  they  arrived  July  2ist,  to 
find  that  John  Johnson,  "a  renegade  magistrate 
from  Michigan,"  agent  of  the  British  Northwest 
Company,  had  just  departed  with  his  assistants, 
carrying  away  all  the  property  possible,  and 
setting  fire  to  the  company's  sloop.  This  fire 
was  extinguished  by  the  Americans,  but  the 
vessel  proving  unseaworthy,  she  was  again  fired. 
After  destroying  the  buildings,  the  Americans 
returned  to  St.  Joseph,  and  the  reunited  forces 
arrived  at  Mackinac  July  26th. 

Deciding  that  it  was  unwise  for  the  vessels 
to  attack  the  fort,  Croghan's  men  were  landed, 
and  proceeded  to  a  rear  attack.  They  were  met 
by  such  severe  fire  by  the  British  and  concealed 
Savages,  that  they  retreated  to  the  boats  with  a 
loss  of  thirteen  killed,  including  Major  .Holmes, 
and  fifty-five  wounded,  including  Captains  Van 
Horn  and  Desha,  and  Lieutenant  Jackson.  Two 
were  missing. 

Passing  to  the  Nautawassaga  River,  they 
captured  the  blockhouse  three  miles  from  its 
mouth,  but  the  valuable  furs  of  the  Northwest 


300  The  Ohio  Country 

Company  had  been  taken  away,  and  their  vessel 
burned. 

The  expedition  now  sailed  for  Detroit,  leaving 
the  Tigress,  with  Captain  Champlain,  and  the 
Scorpion,  with  Captain  Turner,  and  crews  of 
nearly  thirty  men  each,  as  blockaders  to  cut  off 
supplies  intended  for  the  garrison  at  Mackinac. 
They  served  this  purpose  effectually  until  the 
night  of  September  3d,  when  the  Tigress,  being 
alone,  was  captured  by  a  stealthy  and  over- 
whelming force  of  the  enemy;  which  force  also 
deceived  the  Scorpion's  officers  and  crew  to  a 
close  contact  when  she  was  boarded  and  over- 
whelmed. 

These  disasters,  with  the  loss  of  the  post  at 
Prairie  du  Chien,  west  of  Lake  Michigan,  on 
July  i yth,  again  increased  the  apprehensions  of 
the  Americans  throughout  the  Northwest. 

The  Savages  becoming  more  aggressive  around 
Lake  Michigan,  General  Me  Arthur  was  directed 
to  gather  mounted  men  to  proceed  against  them. 
He  arrived  at  Detroit,  from  Ohio,  on  October  pth, 
with  about  seven  hundred  men,  gathered  from 
Ohio  and  Kentucky.  At  this  time,  the  American 
army,  under  General  Jacob  Brown,  was  being 
sorely  pressed  on  the  Niagara  frontier,  and  Mc- 
Arthur  decided  to  divert  some  of  the  British 


From  1813-1814  301 

forces  from  that  point;  and  he  executed  the  most 
daring  expedition  of  the  war  through  Canada. 
Starting  northward  from  Detroit,  after  the  middle 
of  October,  with  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  and 
five  small  field  cannon,  he  circled  around  Lake 
St.  Clair,  crossed  the  River  St.  Clair  on  the  26th, 
moved  rapidly  through  the  Scotch  settlement  of 
Baldoon,  the  Moravian  towns  by  the  Thames, 
and  London,  arriving  at  Oxford,  November  4th. 
Here  he  found  a  considerable  force  of  militia, 
which  he  disarmed  and  paroled;  and  he  punished 
those  who  violently  opposed  him  by  burning 
their  houses.  He  moved  eastward,  and  passed 
through  Burf ord  to  Brantford,  by  the  Grand  River. 
Here,  being  opposed  by  the  Iroquois  Aborigines 
resident  there,  also  by  the  British  and  militia, 
he  turned  southward,  attacked  the  militia  at 
Malcolm  Hill,  by  the  Grand  River,  killing  and 
wounding  seven  and  taking  one  hundred  and 
thirty-one  prisoners.  The  only  American  loss 
on  this  expedition  was  one  killed  and  six  wounded 
in  the  last  engagement.  The  flouring  mill  and 
its  belongings  here  were  destroyed;  also  several 
mills  on  his  way  to  Dover  by  Lake  Erie.  These 
mills  had  been  the  chief  source  of  supply  to  the 
British  in  their  operations  against  the  Army  of 
the  Centre.  At  Dover,  McArthur  turned  westward, 


302  The  Ohio  Country 

passed  through  Simcoe,  St.  Thomas,  and  near  the 
Thames,  being  pursued  some  distance  by  eleven 
hundred  British  regulars.  On  the  iyth  of  No- 
vember this  brilliant  and  successful  expedition 
ended  at  Sandwich.  Meantime  the  western 
Aborigines  went  into  winter  quarters,  and  all 
of  the  volunteers  in  Me  Arthur's  command,  who 
so  desired,  were  discharged. 

General  Me  Arthur  returned  to  Ohio,  and,  with 
his  superiors,  discussed  ways  and  means  for  a  yet 
more  active  work  against  the  enemy. 

Overtures  for  peace  having  been  made,  how- 
ever, and  peace  commissioners  appointed  by 
Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  a  treaty 
closing  the  war  was  signed  at  Ghent,  Belgium, 
December  24,  1814;  and  then  came  the  time  when 
the  United  States  first  entered  into  the  full, 
peaceable,  continued  possession  and  jurisdiction 
of  the  territory  west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains, 
and  of  all  its  people,  of  which  and  whom  they  had 
been  mainly  deprived  for  thirty  years  after  the 
Revolutionary  War,  notwithstanding  the  Treaty 
of  Paris. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

SUCCESS   OF   THE   WAR    FOR    INDEPENDENCE 
ASSURED 

The  Treaty  of  Ghent  Closing  the  War  of  1812-14 — Further 
Confirmation  of  American  Claim  of  Notorious  Methods. 

THE  Treaty  of  Ghent  was  not  completed  with- 
out difficulty.  What  were  considered  by 
Americans  as  unjust  and  extortionate  claims  by 
Great  Britain,  were  urged  by  her  Commissioners 
for  recognition,  and  are  here  presented  as 
further  confirmation  of  the  truth  of  the  direct 
assertions  and  characterizations  on  preceding 
pages  of  her  wicked  policy  with  the  American 
Aborigines,  and  toward  Americans,  before,  during, 
and  between  the  wars  of  these  countries  with 
each  other. 

President  Madison's  Messages  to  Congress  during 
the  last  war,  from  May  25,  1813;  the  discussions 
of  Congress;  other  American  State  Papers  during 
the  war;  and  the  contentions  of  the  Commissioners 

3°3 


304  The  Ohio  Country 

of  both  parties,  were  considered  by  Americans 
as  quite  sufficient  answer  to  Great  Britain's 
Declaration  relative  to  the  War  of  1812,  issued 
from  Westminster  January  9,  1813. 

The  Peace  Commissioners  for  the  War  of  1812- 
14 — Lord  Gambier,  Henry  Goulburn,  and  William 
Adams  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  and  John 
Quincy  Adams,  James  A.  Bayard,  Henry  Clay, 
Jonathan  Russell,  and  Albert  Gallatin  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States — met  in  Ghent,  Belgium, 
August  6,  1814,  and  did  not  agree  upon  the  form 
of  the  treaty  until  December  24th. 

For  a  long  time  the  wide  differences  of  claims 
portended  permanent  disagreement ;  but  gradually, 
after  conferences  with  the  respective  home  gov- 
ernmental authorities,  recession  from  one  objec- 
tionable point  after  another  was  made  by  each 
party,  the  British  yielding  their  most  obnoxious 
claims,  until  the  treaty,  as  signed,  was  not 
fully  satisfactory  to  either  country. 

The  principal  complaints  of  the  United  States 
against  Great  Britain,  causing  the  War  of  1812, 
were  the  search  of  her  vessels,  the  impressment 
of  her  seamen,  the  blockade  of  her  ports,  and  the 
domination  of  the  Western  Aborigines.  The  first 
named  points  were  not  gained  in  the  treaty, 
which  caused  great  regret  in  the  East  particularly, 


.. 


From  1814-1815  305 

though  their  modification  was  promised.  The 
British  felt  no  need  later  for  the  blockade.  Some 
indefinite  boundaries  in  the  East,  and  between 
Lake  Superior  and  the  Mississippi  River,  were 
adjusted. 

Early  in  the  treaty  negotiations,  the  British 
Commissioners  quibbled  against  the  American 
claims  regarding  their  conduct  with  the  Abo- 
rigines. They  boldly,  and  persistently,  claimed 
them  as  "their  allies,"  and  wanted  recognition 
of  them  as  such!  They  held  that  the  United 
States  should  set  apart  much  of  the  Ohio  Country 
for  their  especial  use;  that  the  United  States' 
treaties  with  them  were  like  treaties  between 
individual  nations;  that  "the  American  Govern- 
ment now  for  the  first  time,  in  effect,  declared 
that  all  Indian  nations  within  its  Line  of  De- 
markation  are  its  Subjects,  living  there  upon 
sufferance,  on  Lands  which  it  also  claims  the 
exclusive  right  of  acquiring  [sic],  thereby  men- 
acing the  final  extinction  of  these  Nations," 
to  which  they  formally  protested,  and  stated 
that  their  instructions  on  this  subject  were 
peremptory. 

The  American  Commissioners  replied  pointedly, 
and  asked  what  meant  all  of  the  old  English  char- 
ters, from  that  of  Virginia  by  Queen  Elizabeth, 


306  The  Ohio  Country 

to  that  of  Georgia  by  the  immediate  predecessor 
of  King  George  III.,  if  the  Aborigines  were 
the  sovereigns  and  proprietors  of  the  lands 
bestowed  by  those  charters? 

The  British  continued  their  endeavors,  however, 
to  make  all  negotiations  hinge  on  their  question 
regarding  the  Aborigines,  "their  allies  whom  they 
must  protect."  The  Americans  positively  ob- 
jected to  including  the  Aborigines  in  the  treaty 
as  "Allies  of  Great  Britain,"  which  would  indi- 
cate that  they  were  British  subjects;  and  this 
objection  prevailed  after  long  diplomatic  struggle. 

The  continued  inebriation  of  successive  genera- 
tions of  American  Aborigines,  and  their  education 
and  confirmation  in  savagery,  for  thirty  years 
after  the  Treaty  of  Paris,  as  before,  forced  upon 
the  United  States  not  only  an  untold  amount 
of  savagery,  suffering,  and  loss  of  life  among  her 
citizens,  but  later  left  an  evil  heritage,  of  enor- 
mous proportions,  of  evil  and  degenerate  habits 
of  the  Aborigines,  from  which  the  American 
nation  has  not  yet  fully  recovered,  notwithstand- 
ing the  expenditure  of  money  and  efforts  for  their 
control,  and  civilization,  many  times  in  excess 
of  such  expenditures  by  any  other  nation  for 
barbarous  and  savage  people. 

However,  it  may  well  be  written  that  the  for- 


From  1814-1815  307 

bearance  of  offence,  the  magnanimity  toward 
the  conquered,  the  efforts,  money,  and  lives 
expended  by  Americans  to  secure  their  freedom, 
and  some  of  their  rights,  have  borne  much  whole- 
some fruit,  and  thought,  for  the  tempering  of 
the  savage  barbarity  of  nations;  and  thereby 
this  great  forbearance,  suffering,  and  magnanimity 
have  already  been  a  blessing  to  humanity  at  large, 
that  will  be  more  fully  recognized  and  appre- 
ciated in  the  future  than  it  has  been  in  the  past. 

Throughout  the  long  months  of  diplomatic 
struggle  at  Ghent,  the  American  Commissioners 
maintained  a  commendable  patience,  composure 
with  alertness,  and  wisdom,  which  won  their 
contention  regarding  the  Aborigines,  the  honor 
of  the  western  country,  and  of  the  nation,  on 
this  most  important  question. 

The  questions  of  search  and  impressment  of 
seamen  could  not  long  remain  without  honorable 
settlement,  after  proper  diplomatic  relations  be- 
tween the  two  countries  were  established. 

The  signing  of  the  Treaty  of  Ghent  obscured 
the  last  hope  of  designing  nations  for  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Ohio  Country.  All  of  this  vast  and 
invaluable  region  was  again,  and  fully,  saved  to 
the  American  Union. 

This  War  of   1812-1814  also  produced  a  con- 


308  The  Ohio  Country 

dition  of  wholesome  national  unity,  and  a  for- 
bearing regard  for  the  Union  throughout  the  East 
and  the  West,  that  was  unknown  before. 

It  appears  befitting  that  a  few  words  be  added 
regarding  the  later  history  of  the  Aborigines 
who  chose  to  remain  in  the  United  States. 

The  British  continued  to  trade  with  those 
along  the  borders,  and  kept  alive  their  thirst  for 
spirituous  liquors,  as  did  many  United  States 
traders,  clandestinely.  As  late  as  July,  1832, 
the  British  traders  attracted  to  Fort  Maiden, 
Amherstburg,  Canada,  one  of  the  largest  gather- 
ings of  Aborigines  of  record.  They  were  gathered 
from  most  parts  of  the  United  States,  embracing 
even  the  Flatheads  of  the  extreme  West.  This 
meeting,  and  the  great  flow  of  intoxicants,  spoiled 
the  work  of  the  American  religious  missionaries 
at  the  nearby  station.  There  was,  however, 
little,  if  any,  successful  effort  of  the  British  agents 
after  the  Treaty  of  Ghent  to  federate  the  Abo- 
rigines for  war  against  the  United  States. 

This  government  continued  the  policy  of 
enforcing  temperance  among  these  wards  of  the 
nation;  also  the  policy  of  treating  with  them  and 
purchasing  their  claims  to  lands  not  needed  by 
them  for  agricultural  purposes,  but  needed  by 
citizen  settlers;  in  consonance  with  the  truism 


From  1814-1815  309 

that  no  barbarous  people,  and  much  less  savage 
ones,  have  right  to  lands  for  hunting  purposes, 
that  are  needed  for  civilized  people  and  for  the 
advance  of  civilization. 

Nearly  all  of  these  Aborigines  were  removed 
west  of  the  Mississippi  River  in  the  1830*3  and 
early  1 840*8. 

Schools  founded  by  the  United  States,  as  well 
as  denominational  religious  schools,  have  multi- 
plied for  their  education  by  means  of  book  and 
industrial  methods.  Many  have  become  citizens, 
and  own  land  in  severalty.  Through  the  paternal 
methods  of  the  general  government,  many  are 
now  wealthy  and  prospering. 


INDEX 


Aborigines,  condition  of,  3— 
1 5 ;  after  Revolutionary 
War,  19;  after  Treaty  of 
Greenville,  162;  aggressors, 
52-53;  American  captives 
with,  38;  forbidden  to  buy 
land  from,  2  2 ;  efforts  for 
best  interest  of,  202,  306— 
309 ;  inquiries  regarding,  4  6, 
48-50, 82 ;  lesson  to,  against 
British  savagery,  2  79 ;  short 
rations  to,  at  Detroit,  291; 
treaties  with,  see  under 
Treaties ;  British  allow- 
ances to,  20,  184—185,  189; 
Dorchester's  speech  to.ioo ; 
keep  them  hostile  to  Ameri- 
cans, 45,  50,  104,  107,  183- 
190;  incite  them  to  sav- 
agery, 6,  ii,  60,  80,  83-85; 
inebriate  them,  11,  14,  177, 
308 ;  fight  with  them  against 
Americans,  12,  103,  107, 
114-116,  225—228,  239-242, 
254—255,  257,  282,  288; 
alliance  with  them  the 
most  inhuman  in  history, 
26;  dread  of,  8;  desire  to 
federate  them  against  Am- 
ericans, 6,  8,  84,  90,  98, 
100 ;  forsaken  by  them, 
242,  285,  287;  gain  from 
fur  trade  with,  4,  80,  182; 
govern  and  guard  them,  50, 
100,  261;  short  rations  to, 
20-22,  118;  supply  them 
with  weapons,  11,  85,  178, 
185,  189;  cannibalism  of, 
5°.  77,  !93,  202,  227,  240; 


celebrate  victories  with 
British,  12-15,  60;  chiefs 
of,  78-79,142-143,226,287; 
cloyed  by  warrings  of 
British  and  French,  7; 
councils,  great,  by  Maumee, 

83,  90;    drawn   to   peace 
by  Gen.  Wayne,   133-136; 
friendship  of  few  aged,  to 
Americans,  244,  250,  260, 
278-279;  lesson  in  American 
patriotism,  1 39 ;  new  gen- 
eration of,  175;  payments 
by  U.  S.  to,  47,  164,  169, 
178-179;  peace  with  U.  S. 
they    did    not    want,    78; 
begged  for,  285;  efforts  of 
U.    S.   for,   80,   82-83,   86, 
in;    Prophet,    the,     174; 
reservations  for,   170-171; 
tribes   at    great    councils, 

84,  90;    at    the    greatest 
treaty  with,  141;  savagery 
of  the,  47,  52-53,  77,  82, 
250 

Adair,  Major  John,  85 
Adams,  John,  25,  27,  155 
Adams,  Colonel,  209 
Allen,  Col.  John,  207,  224 
American     grievances,     and 
claims,  against  Great  Brit- 
ain, 91,92;  military  posts  in 
1809-12,  175-189;  Pioneer 
magazine  quoted,  77 
Amherstburg,  Canada,  147 
Anderson,  Colonel,  248 
Armed  vessels  on  Lake  Erie: 
American,  272;  British,  273 
Armies,  American :  Harmar  s, 
54-58;      Harrison's,      190, 
206-212,   228-293;   Hull's, 


312 


Index 


Armies — Continued 

196,  199;  surrender  of,  202; 
St.  Clair's,  66-77 ;  Wayne's, 
86,     95,     108-124;     Win- 
chester's, 2 1 2-2  2  7 ;  against 
France  and  Spain,  155 
Armstrong,  John,  Judge,  44 
Arnold,  Benedict,  at  Detroit, 

44 

Ashton,  Captain,  66 
Atherton,  William,  book  on 

N.  W.  Army,  219 
Atwater,  Caleb,  History  of 

Ohio,  76 


B 


Ball,  Colonel,  252 

Banner,  British  surgeon,  260 

Barbee,  Colonel  Joshua,  213 

Battles:  of  Fallen  Timber, 
113,  126;  of  Harmar's 
army  at  head  of  Maumee 
River,  56-58;  of  St.  Clair's 
army  at  head  of  Wabash, 
68;  Winchester's  at  the 
Raisin,  227;  sham,  for 
discipline,  276;  of  the 
Thames,  Canada,  288;  of 
Tippecanoe,  190;  naval, 
on  Lake  Erie,  268-269; 
siege  of  Ft.  Meigs,  235-239 

Black  Rock,  N.  Y.,  262-263 

Bond,  Phineas,  Am.  Consul, 
28 

Bondie,  Antoine,  210 

Boyd,  Ensign,  96 

Brant,  Capt.  Joseph  (Br.), 
42,  63,  87 

Brickell,  John,  captive,  137- 
138 

British,  advance  and  re- 
treat of,  213-214;  advan- 
tages of,  93,  128-129;  a^  °f 
naval  force  of,  on  Lake  Erie 
captured,  269;  Am.  efforts 
to  learn  methods  of,  with 
Savages,  83 ;  animus  of,  23- 
26;  27-32, 41-44,  5°,  6°.  63, 


90,  94,  99,  100-101,  etc.; 
army  captured  at  the 
Thames,  288;  build  Ft. 
Maiden,  147,  and  abandon 
it  to  Americans,  283 ;  cap- 
ture Hull's  baggage,  200; 
conspire  against  American 
Union,  41,  173—193;  efforts 
for  alliance  with  Savages, 
6,  8,  11-15,  20,  42,  90,  100, 
1 68,  244,  etc.;  embarrass- 
ment of,  with  Aborigines, 
2 1 ;  fight  with  Savages 
against  Americans,  11-15, 
103,  114,  116,  235,  239, 
288;  flee  before  Americans, 
283;  governed  by  com- 
mercial and  ulterior  in- 
terests, 23,  32,  41,  78  80, 
182;  hold  Am.  forts,  23; 
strengthen  them,  43,  102, 
1 18,  128;  build  Forts  Miami 
and  Turtle  Island  in  U.  S., 
101 ;  invade  U.  S.,  101,  159; 
last  claim  of  the  Savages 
as  their  allies,  305-306; 
martial  law  of,  superseded 
by  Am.  civil  law,  285; 
obstruct  Am.  development 
and  peace,  32,  36,  63,  82, 
87-91;  promote  savagery, 
11-15,  104-107,  145,  173- 
177,  183-186,  188-189; 
scouts  of,  234;  supply 
Savages  with  weapons 
against  Americans,  85,  178, 
189;  surrender  forts  in 
U.  S.,  148 

Brown,  John,  of  Kentucky,  62 
Brownstown,    Michigan, 

treaty  at,  171,  261 
Brush,    Capt.    Henry,    saves 

his  command,  203 
Buntin,  Capt.  Robert,  154 
Burbeck,  Major  Henry,  97 
Burke,  Reverend,  136 
Burr,  Aaron,  165 
Butler,  Col.  John  (Br.),  87 
Butler,  Lieut.-Col.,  295,  297 
Butler,      Richard,      Treaty- 
Corn.,  35;  Gen.,  slain,  74 


Index 


313 


Campbell,     Lieutenant,     241 
Campbell,  Maj.  William  (Br.), 

"5 

Canada,  preparations  for  in- 
vasion of,  277-278;  ad- 
vance of  Am.  army  into, 
280-282 ;  expeditions 
through,  280-282, 295, 297- 
302 

Cannibalism  of  the  Savages, 
50,  77,  193,  202,  227,  240 

Carleton,  Sir  Guy,  1 1 ;  see 
Dorchester,  Lord 

Carmarthen,  Marquis  of,  27 

Cass,  Lewis,  Col.,  199;  Gen., 
252;  Gov.  of  Michigan,  290 

Champlain,  Lieut.,  294,  300 

Chatham,  Lord,  quoted,  25 

Chauncey,  Com.  Isaac,  263 

Chew,  Joseph  (Br.  Sec.),  129 

Chicago,  193,  201 

Chickasaw  Bluffs,  Miss.,  180 

Chillicothe,  Ohio,  198 

Chittenden,  Thomas,  Gov., 
24 

Cincinnati,  Ohio,  named,  49 

Civil  government  organized: 
in  counties:  Hamilton,  49; 
extended,  81;  Kent,  151; 
Knox,  54;  St.  Clair,  49; 
Washington,  46;  Wayne, 
151;  States:  Kentucky,  85; 
Ohio,  162;  Territories:  Il- 
linois, 172;  Indiana,  158; 
Kentucky,  54;  Louisiana, 
1 60;  Michigan,  165;  Mis- 
sissippi, 156;  Missouri,  192 ; 
Northwestern,  44,  157; 
Ohio,  158 

Clark,  Col.  George  R.,  14,  35, 
40 

Clark,  Gen.  William,  175- 
176,  184 

Clarksville,  Kentucky,  49 

Clay,  Gen.  Green,  237,  245, 
250,  252-253 

Clinton,  Gov.  George,  New 
York,  24 

Colgreve,  Col.  William,  298 


Communication,  development 

of,  161 
Connecticut    cedes    to     the 

U.  S.  claims  in  Ohio,  39, 

158;     payments     of     land 

company    to     Aborigines, 

164 

Connolly,  John,  43 
Conspiracy    of    British    and 

Tecumseh,      173—193;      of 

Chief  Nicholas,  6;  of  Pon- 

tiac,  7 

Cornplanter,  Seneca  chief,  84 
Croghan,  Capt.  George,  248, 

2S7-259»  298-299 
Councils,     great     Aborigine, 

83-91 

D 

Danville,  Kentucky,  52 

Davidson,  Lieutenant,  200 

Dayton,  Ohio,  196 

Debts,  individual  Br.,  State 
laws  regarding,  28 

Defiance,  Ohio,  213,  214,  216; 
see  Fort  Defiance 

Denny,  Ebenezer,  report  of 
St.  Clair's  defeat,  68,  75 

De  Peyster,  Maj.  Arent  S., 
14,  19,  21 

Desna,  Captain,  wounded, 
299 

Detroit,  principal  Br.  post, 
10-17,  43,  45,  50,  55,  65, 
87,  99-101,  114,  120;  sur- 
rendered to  Americans, 
148-149,  151,  154;  British 
invade,  159;  treaty  at, 
169;  trading  post  at,  181, 
196,  198;  surrendered  to 
Br.,  202;  again  occupied 
by  Americans,  285;  Gen. 
Shelby  at,  290;  short  ra- 
tions at,  291 

Dickson,  Scotch  trader,  245 

Dill,  Captain,  197 

Doolan,  James,  253 

Dorchester,  Lord,  engaged 
in  savage  work,  n,  43; 
addresses  Savages,  100, 


3H 


Index 


Dorchester — Continued 
102;   orders   surrender   of 
Am.  forts,  147 

Douglas,  Ephraim,  Am.  agent 
to  Aborigines,  19,  22 

Doughty,  Major,  49 

Dudley,  Col.  William,  massa- 
cred, 238 

Dunlap,  Colonel,  198 

Dwight,   Th.,   preferred   dis- 
union to  war,  99 


E 


Eastman,  Surgeon,  294 

Elliott,  Captain,  296 

Elliott,  Lieut.  Jesse  D.f  262- 
263,  266 

Elliott,  Matthew,  Br.  agent, 
Capt.  and  Col.,  83,  88,  100, 
106,  147,  214 

Emissaries,  British,  French, 
and  Spanish,  99,  192; 
Spanish,  152,  154;  the 
Prophet's,  175 

England,  Col.  Richard  (Br.), 
101,  106,  119,  146 

Erie,  Pa.,  263,  265-266,  296 

Eustis,  William,  198 

Expeditions,  against  the  Sav- 
ages, 38,  48,  51—52,  64,  66, 
220-221;  through  Canada, 
280—282,  295,  297-302; 
against  Mackinac,  298-300 

Explorers,  French,  i ;  Brit- 
ish, 2 

F 

Fasting  and  Prayer,  day  of, 
276 

Federalists,  adverse  influence 
of,  99,  161,  186-187 

Findlay,  Col.  James,  197-198, 
213 

Findlay,  Ohio,  198 

Firelands,  164 

Forts:  abandoned  by  British 
in  1796,  145;  Adams  in 
Ohio,  109,  124,  in  Missis- 
sippi, 157;  Amanda,  215; 
Auglaize,  125;  Ball,  217; 


Barbee,  213,  215,  217, 
Dearborn,  Chicago,  181; 
201;  Defiance,  in,  112, 
114,  116,  117,  121,  122, 
124-126, 137, 138;  Deposit, 
Wayne's,  112,  113,  Win- 
chester's, 223,  228-229; 
Erie,  British,  88,  262-263; 
Feree,  216;  Findlay,  190, 
198,  217;  Finney,  37; 
George  at  Niagara,  227, 
264;  Greenville,  96,  105, 
123,  125;  Hamilton,  67, 
73,  83,  85;  Harmar,  46; 
Harrison,  210,  211,  213; 
Hawkins,  Ga.,  180;  In- 
dustry, 164-165;  in  i 80 i, 
1 60;  Jefferson,  67,  76,  96, 
97;  Jennings,  213,  215; 
Lernoult,  Detroit,  13,  147, 
148,  290;  Loramie,  125; 
McArthur,  197,  217;  Mack- 
inac, 147,  181,  201,  298; 
Madison,  181 ;  Maiden, Brit- 
ish, 147,  168,  189,  192, 
200— 20 1,  214;  Massac,  100, 
252;  Meigs,  230-231;  be- 
sieged, 235-243,  251,  278, 
297;  Miami,  British,  101, 
102,  115,  119,  145;  Miami, 
American,  147,  148,  201; 
Necessity,  197,  217;  Osage, 
181;  Piqua,  125;  Pitt,  48; 
Portage,  229,  252,  295; 
Prairie  du  Chien,  300; 
Recovery,  97,  102,  105; 
Refuge,  85,  187,  205;  St. 
Clair,96;  St.  Joseph,  299; St. 
Marys  125;  St.  Stephens, 
1 80;  Seneca,  251;  Shelby, 
290;  Spanish,  153,  157; 
Stephenson,  256;  Steuben, 
48,  66;  Turtle  Island, 
British,  101,  118,  119; 
Vincennes,  40,  48;  Wash- 
ington, 49,  54,  57,  67,  95, 
148;  Wayne,  56,  124,  132, 
135.  *37.  J49,  162,  178,  181, 
186,  188,  193;  besieged, 
207-208,  210;  Winchester, 
216,  229,  245,  276,  296 


Index 


Fourth  of  July  celebrations, 

i39,  249 
France  and   Spain,  offended 

by  Jay    Treaty,    152-155; 

emissaries  of,  99,  152,  154 
Frankfort,  Kentucky,  205 
Franklin,   Benjamin,   quoted 

about  the  British,  28 
Fremont,  Ohio,  217 
Fur  trade,  American,  92,  163, 

182;  British,  4,  80,  182 


Gaines,  Colonel,  254 
Gamelin,     Antoine,     peace 

agent,  49 
Gano,  Gen.  John  S.,  report, 

294-296 

Gardiner,  Quartermaster,  295 
Germain,  Lord,  savagery  of, 

ii 

Ghent,  Treaty  of  Independ- 
ence at,  302-307 
Gibson,  Captain,  slain,  105 
Girty,  Simon,  renegade,  88 
Grasson,  Surgeon,  slain,  74   , 
Gratiot,  Captain,  298 
Greenville,     Ohio,     Wayne's 
t    treaty  at,  139-143;  second 
treaty  at,    291;    see   Fort 
Greenville 

H 

Haldimand,    Sir    Frederick, 

Gov.  of  Canada,  23,  24 
Hamilton,  Alexander,  93 
Hamilton,  Captain,  237 
Hamilton,  Henry,  Lieut.-Gov. 

of  Canada,  10 
Hamilton,  Ohio,  67 
Hammond,   George,    ist  Br. 

Min.,  31,  91,  93 
Hamtramck,  Maj.    John  F., 

54,    82,    132-133;    report, 

145-146,  148 
Hardin,  Col.  John,  48,  56-57, 

64;  murdered  by  Savages, 

82 
Harmar,  Gen.  Josiah,  40,  45, 


51;  disastrous  ex.  agt. 
Savages,  54-S8,  67 

Harrison,  William  H.,  Sec. 
N.  W.  Ter.,  156;  ist  Rep. 
in  Cong.,  157;  ist  Gov.  of 
Ind.,  158,  163,  175,  177- 
178;  Gen.,  182-184,  1 86- 
187;  at  Battle  of  Tippe- 
canoe,  1 90 ;  visits  Kentucky 
205-207;  supersedes  Gen. 
Winchester,  214-216,  228; 
builds  Ft.  Meigs,  230,  231, 
234;  broad  supervision  of, 
248,  252-253,  256;  urged 
bldg.  armed  vessels  on 
Lake  Erie,  263;  captures 
Br.  army  at  the  Thames, 
288 ;  goes  to  aid  Army  of  the 
Centre,  292;  resigns  mili- 
tary com.,  293;  at  second 
Treaty  of  Greenville,  291 

Heald,  Nathan,  in  com.  Ft. 
Dearborn,  Chicago,  193 

Henley,  Samuel,  Quarter- 
master, 148 

Hicks,  Lieut.  Porter,  sur- 
renders Ft.  Mackinac,  201 

Holmes,  Capt.  Jeremiah,  ex. 
through  Canada,  297 ;  slain, 
299 

Hospital  ships,  280 

Howard,     Spanish    General, 

rS3 

Howard,  Gov.  of  Missouri 
Territory,  192,  206 

Hull,  William,  Col.,  24;  Gov. 
Mich.  Ter.,  165,  167-168, 
171,  177,  185,  193;  urges 
mil.  and  naval  forces,  195- 
196;  commissioned  Brig.- 
Gen.,  and  marches  to  De- 
troit, 196-201;  surrenders 
to  Br.,  202-203 

Hunt,  Col.  Thomas,  207 


Illinois  Country,  48,  99 
Illinois  Territory  organized, 
205 


316 


Index 


Indiana  Territory  organized, 
205 

Indians,  a  misnomer,  5;  see 
Aborigines 

Inefficiency  of  U.  S.  Govern- 
ment, 151 

Inness,  Judge  Henry,  52,  62 

Interpreters  at  Treaty  of 
Greenville,  141 

Ironside,  George,  Br.  trader, 
advice  of,  to  Savages,  126 


Jackson,  Lieut.,  wounded, 
299 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  Gov.  of 
Va.,  1 6;  Sec.  of  State,  31; 
in  Congress,  34;  Sec.  of 
State,  93 ;  against  Spanish, 
100;  President,  for  La. 
pur.,  1 60;  advice  to  sav- 
ages, 167-168 

Johnson,  Col.  Guy,  Br.  agent, 
26,  84 

Johnson,  Lieut. -Col.  James, 

27S 
Johnson,  Sir  John,  Br.  agent, 

ad.  to  Savages,  22,  42,  84 
Johnson,  Col.  John,  181,  185- 

186 

Johnson,  John,  renegade,  299 
Johnson,    Col.    Richard    M., 

208,    2415,    248-249,    275, 

wounded,  289 
Johnson,  Stephen,  clerk,  slain, 

211 

Johnson,  Sir  William,  Br. 
Supt.,  84 

K 

Kaskaskia,  Illinois,  54 
Kentucky,  53;  organized  as 
Territory,    54;    troops    of, 

54,  56.  I03.  Io8.  I23,  2°5- 
208,  240,  277;  Board  of 
War  of,  62;  organized  as 
State,  85;  disunion  emis- 
saries in,  99,  152 
Kethtipecanunk,  Ind.,  65 


King  George  III.,  timidity  of, 
25;  for  savagery,  26 

Knox,  Gen.  Henry,  Sec.  of 
War,  24,  47;  reports  of, 
75,  80-91 


Lafayette,  Ind.,  64 

Lake    Erie,    armed    vessels 

recommended     for,      196, 

262-264 

Lake  St.  Clair,  280,  289,  301 
Land  offices  in  Ohio,  158 
Land  titles  at  Vincennes,  49 ; 

in  Ohio,  158 
Larwell,   Major,   in  Canada, 

295 
Lasselle,   brothers,   deserters 

from  Br.,  133-134 
LeChauvre,  Br.  trader,  136 
Lee,  Arthur,  Treaty  Com.,  35 
Lee,     Captain,     expedition 

through  Canada,  297 
Leftwich,  Va.  General,  231 
Le  Maitre,  Francis,  Br.  Mil. 

Sec.,  119 
Lewis,   Capt.,  messenger  to 

Canada,  147-148 
Lewis,  Col.  William,  207,  224, 

227 
Lincoln,   Benjamin,    Sec.   of 

War,  19;  Peace  Com.,  86 
Loftus  Heights,  Miss.,  157 
Logan,  Benjamin,  on  Board 

of  War,  62 

Logan,  Capt.  John,  207-8 
Loss  of  life,  38,  45,  47,  51-53; 
in  Harmar's  army,  58,  64, 
66;  in  St.  Clair's  army, 
74,  82,  86,  96,  102-105;  in 
Wayne's  army,  114,  121- 
122,  187;  in  Harrison's 
army,  191,  213,  219—221; 
Winchester's  army,  226- 
227;  at  siege  of  Fort  Meigs, 
235,  238,  242-243,  250- 
251;  at  Fort  Stephenson, 
257-258;  in  Perry's  battle 
on  Lake  Erie,  271 ;  in  Har- 
rison's battle  of  the  Thames 


Index 


Loss  of  life — Continued 
289;  in  expeditions  in  Can- 
ada, and  North,  298-299, 
301 

Lower  Sandusky,  Ohio,  now 
Fremont,  217 

Lowry,  Lieut.,  slain,  96 

M 

M'Afee,  Capt.  Robert  B.,  208, 

219,  251,  276,  279 
McArthur,  Col.  Duncan,  196, 

198; General,  252,  278,  286; 

exp.  through  Canada,  300- 

302 

McCune,  Captain,  252-253 
McKee,  Alexander,  Br.  agent, 

85,  87,  91,   100,   104-106, 

115,    118,    119,    127,    129, 

134,  168,  185 

McKeehan,  Surgeon,  260-261 
McMahon,  Major,  102-103 
McPherson,  Captain,  200 
Madison,  Maj.  George,  226- 

227 
Madison,   Pres.  James,   198, 

3°3 

Marietta,  Ohio,  49 
Marschalk,  Captain,  148 
Mason,    J.,    Supt.  trading 

agencies,  180 
Massachusetts  cedes  claim  in 

the  Ohio  Country,  36 
Massacres  by  the  Savages,  79, 

202,  221,  238,  241 
Massie,  Lieutenant,  134—135 
May,  William,  83,  85 
Meek,  Major,  295 
Meigs,  Gov.  Return  J.,  196, 

202,  205 
Miami    Villages,    50,   56-57, 

66,  no,  122,  132 
Michigan  Territory  organized 

165;    under    British    rule 

until  1 796, 148 ;  settlements 

in,  191—192;  285—286,  290 
Miller,  Christopher,  captive, 

in,  114 
Missouri  Territory  organized, 

192 


Money,  kinds  of  in  1796,  149 
Montpy,  Lieutenant,  252 
Montreal  merchants  lose 

trade,  80 
Morris,  Gouverneur,  agent  to 

London,  28 
Morrow,  Jeremiah,  Peace 

Com.,  202 

Muir,  Br.  Major,  234,  238 
Murray,  Br.  Major  Patrick, 

55 

N 

Navarre,  Peter,  messenger, 
225 

Navigation  of  Mississippi 
River,  39,  40,  99 

Navies  on  Lake  Erie,  Am. 
and  Br.,  262-273 

Newport,  Kentucky,  U.  S. 
Arsenal  in,  277 

Niagara,  199;  frontier  re- 
lieved, 300-302 

Northwestern  Territory,  con- 
ditions in  1814,  294—296. 
See  under  Civil  Organiza- 
tions 

O 

Ohio  Company  of  Associates, 

37 

Ohio  Country,  efforts  to  open 
for  settlers,  36;  increasing 
interest  in,  157;  uniform 
land  titles  in,  49,  158 

Ohio  Territory,  population 
of  in  1796  and  1800,  159; 
in  1802,  162;  organized  as 
a  State,  162 

Ohio  troops  first  in  the  field 
in  the  War  for  Independ- 
ence, 196,  199;  surrendered 
to  the  British  by  Gen.  Hull, 
202,  203-204,  209,  213; 
Gen.  Tupper's  com.,  217, 
252,  266,  280,  294-296 

Oliver,  William,  messenger, 
181,  237 

Ordinance  of  1787,  44 


Index 


Ottawa  Towns,  213,  217 
Ouiotenon,  Ind.,  64-66 
Overton,  Major,  226 
Owens,  Col.  Theodore  D.,  253 


Packet,  Lieutenant,  296 
Parsons,  Samuel  H.,  Judge, 

44 

Patriotism,  absolution  from, 
207-208 

Paul,  Col.  George,  252 

Payne,  General,  228 

Peace  Commissioners,  86 ; 
prisoners  of  the  British,  88 ; 
report  of,  91;  for  closing 
War  of  1812,  302;  over- 
tures unavailing,  80,  82; 
victory  of,  13 1 ;  Wayne's 
last  overture  for,  1 1 1 

Pennsylvania,  savagery  in, 
79;  troops  from,  48,  54,  56, 
216,  231 

Perry,  Oliver  H.,  builds 
armed  vessels,  263—273; 
captures  all  of  Br.  squad- 
ron, 269;  aids  invasion  of 
Canada,  286;  loses  trophies 
in  storm,  289;  goes  to 
Buffalo,  292 

Perrysburg,  Ohio,  230 

Pickering,  Timothy,  86 

Pinckney,  Thomas,  ist  Min- 
ister to  Great  Britain,  3 1 

Piqua,  Ohio,  206 

Pogue,  Colonel,  215 

Pontiac,  7,  79,  172 

Population,  of  Michigan  Ter. 
in  1811,  191;  of  Ohio  Ter. 
in  1796  and  1800,  159;  in 
1802,  162 

Poquette,  Francis,  slain,  159 

Port  Clinton,  Ohio,  277 

Porter,  Capt.  Moses,  148 

Presque  Isle,  of  Maumee 
River,  113,  223  ;  of  Maumee 
Bay,  229;  Erie,  Pa.,  263 

Prisoners,  Am.,  201,  227,  243  ; 
Br.  243,  260,  273,  289 

Proclamations,    of    neutral- 


ity, 31,   100;  for  peace  by 
Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  and 
Gen.  Wayne,  81-82 
Proctor,  Col.  Thomas,  63 
Proctor,  Col.  and  Gen.  Henry 
A.,   Br.,   at  Battle  of  the 
Raisin,  227;  Siege  of  Fort 
Meigs,    235-239;    at    Fort 
Stephenson,     259;     down- 
fall   at  the  Battle  of    the 
Thames,    288;    asks    more 
than  he  would  accord  to 
others,  292 
Prophet,  the  Shawnee,  174— 

189 
Put-in-Bay,  Lake  Erie,  266, 

271 

Put-in-Bay  Island,  271,  296 
Putnam,  Gen.  Rufus,  82 


Quebec,  227 

Quincey,  Josiah,  opposed 
Louisiana  purchase,  187 

R 

Raisin  River,  lesson  of  defeat 
at,  228 

Randolph,  Gov.  Beverly,  62, 
86 

Refuge  forts  built,  85,  187, 
205 

Religious  missionaries,  6,  1 59 

Reports,  from  Am.  mil.  posts, 
175-189;  Gen.  Gano,  294- 
296;  Col.  Hamtramck,  132— 
136;  Peace  Commissioners, 
91,  95—96,  102,  112,  114, 
116,  117,  127,  140 

Reservations :  for  Aborigines, 
170;  for  United  States,  35 

Revolutionary  War,  nopeace 
after,  17;  see  under  War 

Reynolds,  James,  Surgeon's 
Mate,  200 

Richardson,  Br.  Major,  re- 
port of  cannibalism,  239 

Richard ville,  Chief  Jean  B., 
134 


Index 


319 


Rivers,  along  which  the 
Aborigines  lived,  derived 
much  of  their  food,  and 
passed  their  happiest  mo- 
ments when  not  on  the 
war-path :  Auglaize,  75,  83- 
84,  90,  97,  105-106,  109, 
in,  125,  169,  245;  Blan- 
chard,  197,  213,  217;  Cuy- 
ahoga,  35,  39,  249;  Detroit 
Strait,  267,  see  tinder  De- 
troit; Eel,  65,  66,  82; 
Illinois,  1 64 ;  Mad,  3  9 ;  Mau- 
mee,  35,  49-51,  54-56»  59, 
65-66,  75,  82,  great  coun- 
cils by,  83-91,  101,  104- 
106,  109;  excels  in  beauty, 
no,  great  emporium  of 
the  hostiles,  no-in,  115, 

118,  125,    128,    146,    164, 
169,    196,    199,    207,    245; 
Miami,   37,    67,    125;  Mis- 
sissippi,   discovery    of,    i ; 
navigation  of,  39,  40,  99; 
Niagara,     263—264;    Ohio, 
Rapids  of,  45,  47-49,  65- 
66,    88-89,    98>    J48»    l64J 
Portage,     229,     252,     266; 
Raisin,  battle  and  massacre 
at,  224-227,  29i;Sandusky, 
35,     128,     216;    St.     Clair 
Strait,  298,  301;  St.  Marys, 
124,  208;  Scioto,  81,   142, 
174,  197;  Swan  Creek,  118, 

119,  164;  Thames,  Canada, 
286—287,   297;  Tiffin,   no; 
Tippecanoe,  174,  igojTus- 
carawas,  35;  Wabash,  45, 
48-49,    54,   64,  66,   68,  82, 
154,  1 64;  White,  Ind.,  153 

Roads,    treaty   for,    171-172 
Roche  de  Bout,  Rock  point, 
French  landmark  in  Mau- 
mee  River,  112,  145,  196 


St.  Clair,  Arthur,  43;  Gov. 
N.  W.  Ter.,  44,  46,  49, 
54-55,  63,  66:  army,  67; 
defeat  of,  68,  75,  81 


St.  Clair,  Arthur,  naval  offi- 
cer, 298 

St.  Marys,  Ohio,  125,  208 

Sandusky,  Ohio,  181 

Sargent,  Winthrop,  Sec.  N. 
W.  Ter.,  44,  54,  151,  153; 
Gov.  Miss.  Ter.,  156 

Savages,  allied  to  Br.  against 
Americans,  11—17;  massed 
with  Br.,  235;  see,  also, 
under  Aborigines,  Massa- 
cres, and  Cannibalism 

Scalps,  bought  of  Savages, 
6,  13,  282;  exhibited  to  Br. 
to  show  effective  work,  1 04 

Schaumberg,    Captain,    146, 

J54 

Scott,  Gen.  Charles,  51,  62, 
64-65;  reinforces  Wayne, 
108,  122;  Gov.  of  Ken- 
tucky, 205 

Scott,  Colonel,  207 

Scott,  Col.,  afterwards  Gen., 
Winfield,  263 

Settlements,  45;  inefficient 
protection  of,  60;  receive 
impetus  and  stability,  1 60, 
171;  petition  for  protection 
190—191 

Shelby,  Gen.  Isaac,  member 
Board  of  War,  62 ;  Gov.  of 
Kentucky,  277;  with  Har- 
rison at  Battle  of  the 
Thames,  289 

Sickness :  influenza  (la  grippe) 
in  Wayne's  army,  95-96; 
among  the  British  and 
Savages,  119;  in  Winches- 
ter's army,  218-219;  at 
Fort  Meigs,  247 

Siege,  of  Fort  Wayne,  207- 
209;  of  Fort  Meigs,  238- 
242 ;  second  investment, 

2Si-2SS 

Simcoe,  Col.  John  Graves, 
Lieut.-Gov.  Canada,  80, 
86,  100 ;  builds  Ft.  Miami 
by  Maumee,  101,  114,  127— 
128 

Sinclair,  Capt.  Patrick,  Br. 
Com.  Fort  Mackinac,  15 


320 


Index 


Slaves,  African,  at  Detroit, 
191 

Slocum,  Charles  E.,  History 
of  The  Maumee  River 
Basin,  21,  136;  on  the  six 
Forts  Miami,  201 

Slough,  Captain,  at  St.  Clair's 
defeat,  68 

Smiley,  Major,  Expedition 
through  Canada,  295 

Spain,  scheme  to  capture 
territory  of,  43,  offended 
by  Jay  Treaty,  152;  builds 
forts  in  Am.  territory,  1 53 ; 
abandons  forts,  157;  pro- 
tection of  against  Br.,  155; 
cedes  Louisiana  to  France, 
1 60 

States  organized,  see  under 
Civil  Organizations 

Steuben,  Baron  von,  23 

Stewart,  Commander,  196, 
262 

Stickney,  Major  Benjamin  F., 

X93 
Symmes,  John  C.,  Judge,  45 


Tecumseh,  Shawnee  chief, 
conspiracy  of  with  the 
"Prophet"  and  Br.,  174, 
182,  187,  189,  254;  slain, 
288 

Temple,  Sir  John  B.,  Br. 
consul,  27 

Territories  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghany  Mts.:  N.  W.,  80, 
144,  146,  156,  158;  S.  W. 
141,  144,  156-157;  see 
also,  under  Civil  Organiza- 
tions, Northwestern  Terri- 
tory, Ohio  Country,  and 
Union  with  U.  S.  Imperilled 

Tiffin,  Ohio,  217 

Tories,  loyalists,  30,  43,  93 

Trading  agencies  for  the  Ab- 
orgines,  128,  177,  180,  182 

Treaties,  with  Aborigines : 
1784,  34;  1785,  35.  36; 
.37~38;  J789,  46;  1792, 


82;    1795,    138-143;  1803, 
163;    i  804-05,   164-165; 
1807,  168-170;  1808,  171- 
172;  1809,   178—179;  1814, 
291;  object  of,  173 
With  Great  Britain:  1783, 
at  Paris,  18,  23,  24;  1794, 
by  John  Jay,  146;  1814,  at 
Ghent,  302—307 
With  Spain,  1795,  144 
Between  France  and  Spain 
against  the  U.  S.,  1796,  152 
With  France,  1800,  160 
Trimble,  Major  David,  237 
Truman,    Alexander,    peace 
messenger,    killed   by   the 
Savages,  82 

Tryon,  Gov.  William,  Br.,  13 
Tupper,  S.,  agent,  177;  Gen., 

204,  217 

Turner,  Captain  on  Lake  Hu- 
ron, 300 

U 

Union  with  United  States 
Imperilled,  40,  43-45,  152- 
154,  161,  166 

United  States  beset  on  all 
sides,  98-99;  see  under 
Federalists;  inefficiency  of 
government  of,  60— 6 1 ;  mil- 
itary posts  held  by  Br. 
in,  23 ;  reservations  of  land, 
35,  138-143;  troops  of,  45, 
48-49,  55-57,  67,  72,  96, 
252-253,  262,  266 

Upper  Sandusky,  Ohio,  217 

Urbana,  Ohio,  196,  204 


Vance,  Major,  295 

Van  Horn,  Capt.,  wounded, 

299 

Varnum,  James  M.,  Judge,  44 
Vincennes,  49,  179,  196 
Virginia,  cedes  claim  in  Ohio 

Country  to  the  U.  S.,  34; 

troops  from,  48,   62,   216, 

23 1 ;  savagery  in,  79 


Index 


321 


w 

Walker,  Lieut.,  slain,  234 

War,  Board  of,  62 

War  of  1812,  the  War  for 
Independence,  195;  Inde- 
pendence assured,  307-308 

Washington,  George,  General, 
1 6,  23,  26;  President,  44, 
49,58,63,75,80-81,84,86, 
100,  102;  Lieut.-Gen.,  157 

Wayne,  Gen.  Anthony,  chos- 
en to  lead  third  army 
against  the  Savages,  81, 
83-84;  reports  to  Sec.  of 
War,  95-96,  102,  112,  114, 
1 1 6,  117,  127,  140;  meets 
hydra  of  opposition,  100; 
is  caught  under  falling  tree, 
109;  at  Battle  of  Fallen 
Timber,  113;  makes  treaty 
at  Greenville,  138-143; 
death  of,  149,  150 

Wells,  Capt.  William,  175, 
201;  murdered  and  eaten, 
202 


Western  confederacy  advo- 
cated, 40,  43-45.  I52-I54, 
161,  165—166 

Western  Reserve,  Connecti- 
cut's, 39,  158,  164 

Wilkinson,  Gen.  James,  43, 
64,  66-67,  76,  82,  97;  suc- 
ceeds Gen.  Wayne,  146, 
148,  157 

Williams,  General,  149 

Winchester,  Gen.  James,  206- 
207;  great  sufferings  of 
his  army  at  Defiance,  218- 
220,  222—223;  army  de- 
stroyed at  the  Raisin,  224- 
226 

Wood,  Capt.,  builds  Fort 
Meigs,  230-231 

Worthington,  Thomas,  198, 
202 

Wyllys,  Major,  slain,  57 


Zeisberger,  Rev.  David,  diary 
quoted,  21 


3  1158  00718  97£ 


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